U.S. Engineering’s Kansas City International Airport team recently completed the relocation of the fuel line serving Terminals B and C without interrupting passenger travel. 

Project teams relocated almost 6,500 linear feet of pipe under the New Terminal site, which was tied directly to Terminals B and C. Then crews performed a process called “hot tapping,” which allowed sections of Jet A fuel pipeline to be isolated and tied into the existing piping, while still supporting a fully operational system.

This project required a coordinated effort between airline operations teams and all project teams. To reduce the impact on travelers, the team worked through the winter months, beginning shifts at 10:00 p.m., often in frigid temperatures with wind chills as low as -3. Installation teams had to finish work by 3:30 a.m. so that airport field operators could repressurize lines and fuel planes for morning departures. 

U.S. Engineering’s Adam Provost, Operations Director for the project, was “very proud to witness this team operate at such a high level of competency while balancing needs from so many different stakeholders.” He praised the diligent work of Dennis Setzer, Pipefitter Quality Control, Tony Seper, Pipefitter Foreman, Greg Edwards, Pipefitter Superintendent, and Charlie Sutherlin, Project Manager, who “worked tirelessly with Clark | Weitz | Clarkson, the Kansas City Aviation Department, Airline Representatives and Argus (Aviation Fuel Engineering Consultant) to develop intricate fuel system switchover plans that addressed risks, timing and quality of piping system and fuel integrity.” Provost continued, “All fuel piping transfers were completed without any disruptions to airline services or reduction in fuel integrity. The entire team took care of the details and never lost sight of the goal.”

Congrats to the Aviation Fuel project team, and thank you for your commitment to being the best!

To learn more about the project, check out this article on the Build KCI website.

*Images from Build KCI