Costs higher than expected for Northwest National's new skybridge, delay expected

HIGHFILL -- A planned skybridge at the Northwest Arkansas National airport looks to be on hold after bids came in $5 million higher than expected because of the rising cost of material, particularly steel.

The work involves adding a bridge or elevated walkway on the second floor of the terminal and a covered connector between the terminal and parking deck. The project includes meeting space and changes to the front of the terminal.

Officials started planning a connection from the deck to the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint on the second floor of the terminal after the airport parking garage was built. Plans included a new front entrance to the terminal. The project is expected to take about two years to complete, after it receives the go-ahead. A month ago, officials were hopeful the project could be approved in June or July.

Officials expected the cost to be about $31.9 million, but the low bids were about $37 million when bids were opened earlier this month, according to Nick Fondano, director of construction at the airport.

Operations Committee members agreed Wednesday to delay the project while staff looks for more money to pay for it, possibly from federal earmarks, state grants or any other available sources.

"Our staff recommendation is to hold on and try to seek and get some of this funding," said Aaron Burkes, CEO. "Nobody has made us any promises, but we think with all the potential buckets that we can draw from, we think there's a pretty good shot at getting some funding for this."

Another option was sharply scaling back the project by eliminating several significant elements.

"I would think that scaling some of this back is not the best way to go," said Jonathan Barnett, who represents Benton County on the airport board.

Brian Burke, chairman of the committee and representative for Bentonville, said the plans have been in development for more than two years because it's needed.

"I think whatever we build, we want it to be something we'll be proud of," said Howard Kerr, who also represents Bentonville. "I don't like to slice and dice these kinds of projects to totally change the look of it. I just don't want to make the project look like it's half a project."

Burkes said he'd like to stay true to the original design as well.

Committee members reasoned waiting six months or so won't add significantly to the price of the project and could actually give material cost time to stabilize or even come down a little.

The recommendation will go to the full board next week.

Staff are first looking to a new federal Community Projects Fund, with is basically a new form of federal earmarks legislators can use for projects back home. Third District Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, selected the project for potential money.

Money could also come from a federal infrastructure bill, if one is approved. The state has covid-19 relief fund money to spend. The airport could borrow money or use savings to build the project and use Federal Aviation Administration money it receives each year to pay itself back.

The cost of steel has increased 53% since December 2020, and the cost of other materials has increased about 10%, according to Fondano. Steel and drywall account for 95% of the cost increase, he said.

"We have a lot of steel in this project," Fondano said. "This includes all structural and miscellaneous steel, metal decking, subframing, exterior metal panels and rebar."

The problem is high demand for steel and low supply because of the covid-19 worldwide pandemic.