PROJECT

Replacement Passenger Terminal

We are providing civil engineering services for the design and construction of a new passenger terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), including landside and airside services for the project, a 14-gate facility slated to open in 2026.

The existing terminal building, first opened in 1930, is limited in size and was deficient in features and amenities expected by modern passengers. The existing terminal is located inside the Runway Safety Area (RSA) of one runway and was not compliant with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards. The replacement terminal will maintain the 14-gate count and existing 355,000 square feet of space across two floors and a basement.

The program also includes a six-level parking structure. Utility infrastructure, including new water, reclaimed water, sewer and storm drain systems, was provided from existing City of Burbank services. Storm drain facilities were designed to meet the City of Los Angeles Low Impact Development Standards and use a combination of natural wetlands and mechanical treatment systems to mitigate potential environmental hazards.

Landside Scope

A new entry to the terminal from Hollywood Way and Cohasset Street includes over 5 lane miles of roadway, wayfinding and landscaping. Our team is working with the City of Burbank to widen portions of Hollywood Way and relocate the centerline of Cohasset Street.

Client

Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA)

Location

Burbank, California

Region

West

Services

Passenger Terminals

Landside Services

Airfield Paving & Airside Services

Airfield Lighting & NAVAIDS

Streets

Industry

Aviation

Airside Scope

A new Portland cement concrete (PCC) and asphalt concrete (AC) aircraft apron will provide direct access to existing parallel taxiway A. The project also includes significant grading design to overcome a 40-foot elevation difference across the front of the terminal.

Our design solution balances minimal impacts to the taxiway while maintaining a ground boarding passenger experience similar to existing conditions, which are favored by the community. The difference in elevation is resolved with an apron that maintains the strict grade requirements of the FAA and stormwater setbacks required under the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) code. Airfield electrical and signage was updated to allow for a virtual ramp tower to relieve aircraft pushback operations from FAA control.

Sustainability Measures

The replacement terminal site formerly housed an aerospace and aircraft development operation, which left a legacy of environmental challenges. The development agreement limits grading operations to the top 25 feet of the site. Excavations below that level would require review and approval by the Department of Toxic Substance Control. Our team developed a comprehensive grading program that sited both the parking structure and the terminal within that zone. Our precise grading plan reused the excavated material and pavement grindings to limit the need to haul off potentially contaminated material, saving on construction costs.

Project Challenges

The design team implemented an innovative cost reduction tactic for new apron pavement sections at the aircraft parking gates. Aircraft-rated pavement PCC is used for areas at the heavier rear of the aircraft, while the nose gear stands on a much thinner rated PCC pavement to reduce installation costs and time across the 14 gates.

To minimize operational impacts, the pushback taxilane area and connector taxiways used an asphalt pavement section for ease of construction and to minimize closure within the operational Taxiway Safety Area (TSA) and Taxiway Object Free Area (TOFA). This allows airport operations to return to normal much sooner. A further benefit is landside construction laydown and work areas on the congested site are available longer.

The peak workforce will be nearly 800 workers, requiring space for equipment, material storage and worker parking to meet the opening schedule. By reducing the duration of the Taxiway A connector pavement construction, the team maintains the existing Air Operations Area (AOA) fence security for longer and avoids reducing the available landside shortage areas.

Scope of Work

Airside design

Airfield geometry

Landside design

Airfield pavement design

Demolition plans

Grading and drainage

Construction phasing

Permitting

Multiple design packages

Airfield lighting and signage

Utility improvements