Project Overview
Columbia Engineering Group provided civil engineering for an aviation development at Aurora Airport in Marion County, Oregon. The project developed approximately 6.41 acres and included two aircraft hangars.
The aviation facility totals approximately 200,000 square feet. In addition, the project included office space, taxiway access, site utilities, pavement, grading, and stormwater infrastructure.
Civil Design for Aviation Operations
The site required careful coordination between aircraft access, grading, drainage, utilities, and pavement. Therefore, CEG planned the civil infrastructure around the daily needs of an active airport environment.
The entire site also required a slope of 1% or less. As a result, CEG coordinated grading with a shallow drainage system and controlled stormwater detention.
Civil Engineering Scope of Work
CEG provided civil design for the site, airfield access, utilities, stormwater systems, and supporting aviation infrastructure.
Site Grading
CEG graded the 6.41-acre site to maintain slopes of 1% or less. This approach supported aircraft movement, drainage, and overall site function.
Taxiway & Airfield Access
The project included a taxiway and adjoining airport surfaces. CEG coordinated these areas with the broader site layout and aviation access needs.
Stormwater Management
Shallow trench drains collect stormwater across the site. The system then directs runoff to StormBrix detention before pumping it to a bioswale for treatment.
Underground Utilities
CEG coordinated power, domestic water, sanitary sewer, natural gas, and stormwater utilities. The sanitary system also uses an existing septic sand filter with an added holding tank.
Aviation Pavement
CEG designed pavement and site surfaces to support aircraft access and aviation operations. The design also coordinated these areas with the hangars and surrounding airport infrastructure.
Agency Coordination
CEG coordinated the project with Marion County, the Oregon Department of Aviation, and the Federal Aviation Administration to address applicable development requirements.
Project Outcome
The Aurora Airport project created the civil infrastructure needed to support a major new aviation facility in Marion County. CEG coordinated grading, aircraft access, pavement, utilities, and stormwater systems across the 6.41-acre site.
In addition, the design connected the new hangars with existing airport infrastructure and utility systems. The stormwater strategy also combined shallow drainage, detention, and bioswale treatment.
As a result, the site supports aviation operations while meeting the infrastructure needs of a large airport development.
What Made This Project Stand Out
The project combines two aircraft hangars and supporting infrastructure within an approximately 200,000 square foot development.
CEG maintained site slopes of 1% or less to support aircraft access, drainage, and airport operations.
Shallow trench drains, StormBrix detention, pumping, and bioswale treatment work together as one stormwater system.
CEG coordinated with Marion County, the Oregon Department of Aviation, and the FAA throughout the project.