E.S. Boulos Co. awarded electrical construction of $75 million Portland International Jetport expansion

The electrical construction of the Portland International Jetport Expansion project has been awarded to E.S. Boulos Company (ESB) and construction is underway. The project, the largest expansion in the airport's history has a targeted completion in February 2012. The airport's 140,000 s/f new addition will be built on five levels. The building design includes new check-in and ticketing counters, three new gates, four new security screening gates/checkpoints, a new lounge and concessions. ESB is providing power to a new mechanical system and also providing renovations to tie the Jetport terminal addition to the existing building. A new skybridge will be built to connect the terminal to the existing parking garage. ESB's extensive project scope includes installation of normal and emergency power systems; lighting and lighting control systems; site electrical, temporary power and lighting; installation of the facility's generator system; and, installation of grounding and lightning protection systems. In addition, ESB will provide selective electrical demolition and conduit work for the Jetport's telecom and security systems, and extension of the facility's existing public address system and fire alarm system. The project is seeking LEED Silver certification, as the facility is expected to be among the most energy efficient airports in the country. The Portland International Jetport will feature geothermal and possibly solar power. Within its contract, ESB will provide power to the geothermal pumps. To facilitate the project's coordination, planning, and scheduling, construction manager Turner Construction is utilizing a Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach for the facility's mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering services. ESB's commercial division will be utilizing AutoCad Revit MEP 2011 Suite and NavisWorks software, provided by and with technical support from Microdesk of Massachusetts. Throughout the project, ESB will employ a field crew of 10 IBEW electricians, managed by project manager Joseph Bradley and project superintendent Steve Melanson. At peak construction, the electrical crew is projected to grow to 25. Bradley said, "The most demanding part of the project will be the phasing and logistics as existing airport operations must be maintained." Adding to the project's logistical complexity is the fact that the facility is built over the existing public access roadway which must be kept passable and safe at all times. The expansion will nearly double the size of the existing terminal. It is designed to enhance airport security with the inclusion of a state-of-the-art inline baggage handling system. Passengers will also have enhanced efficiency in the security screen process as the project will double the number of lines at the security screening checkpoint to eight.