Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the 21st busiest airport in the United States and Delta Air Lines' fourth-largest hub. The Salt Lake Department of Airports has been building a brand new airport, the first phase of which opened in fall 2020. GSL Electric has been working on Phase 2 of The New SLC Airport, which will be fully operational on October 31, 2023.
The team has been instrumental in transforming the airport's South Concourse on the East Expansion project. The field team will be active onsite until the project is turned over to the Owner, and since the project began 3 years ago, the electricians have performed nearly $17,000,000 in electrical scope. As ever, GSL Electric's involvement in this ambitious project exemplifies its commitment to excellence and safety.
A Project of Significance
Salt Lake International Airport South Concourse East Expansion project is a testament to GSL Electric's expertise and dedication
The Salt Lake International Airport South Concourse East Expansion project is a testament to GSL Electric's expertise and dedication. This expansion is not merely an infrastructure upgrade; it's a critical piece in the puzzle of enhancing the airport's capacity and efficiency, allowing it to better serve the needs of millions of travelers.
GSL's scope on this project encompasses a substantial 201,200 square feet in the Eastern section of the South Concourse, necessitating meticulous planning and execution. One of the standout features of this endeavor is its adaptability. GSL Electric has been required to navigate a constantly changing schedule and priorities to ensure certain areas are made available to the airport authorities even before the entire project reaches completion. This demands precise coordination with the general contractor, airport authorities, and Salt Lake City officials to create a safe and functional airport that can be turned over in separate phases.
Collaboration and contributions
GSL Electric's role in this endeavor is not confined to electrical installation alone. They have joined forces with Taylor Electric, contributing to the HD Joint Venture team, a partnership between Holder and Big-D Construction. This collaboration speaks volumes about GSL Electric's reputation and capabilities in the industry.
The scope of work undertaken by GSL Electric includes the installation of an impressive 285,550 linear feet of conduit, housing a staggering 1,384,245 linear feet of cabling. This intricate network ensures that power and data flow seamlessly throughout the expanded concourse, supporting the airport's vital functions.
Wire installation and electrical infrastructure
GSL Electric is committed to delivering a complete conduit and wire structure that omits MC Cable or free air cabling
GSL Electric is committed to delivering a complete conduit and wire installation that omits MC Cable or free air cabling, ensuring a robust and dependable electrical infrastructure that meets the highest industry standards.
Under GSL’s scope is an electrical system consisting of a 2400A Main System, backed by a robust 1500kW 1875kVA generator, an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), and a quick connect cabinet for the plugin of the backup generator when needed. This system extends its reach to power the Early Baggage System, a critical component of airport operations.
installation of electrical systems
The Fire Alarm System was fully integrated with all required systems and commissioned and signed off by the city a full two months ahead of the final turnover to the owner. It is extremely rare for a system like that to be functional that far ahead of schedule.
Notably, GSL Electric has also contributed a portion of the labor in the installation of electrical systems furnished by Taylor Electric. These systems include a 4000A main for the normal power system, a 2400A Main for emergency branches with a 1500kW 1875kVA generator, and a 2400A Main with a 1500kW 1875kVA generator for standby power. Furthermore, a 200kVA Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system ensures uninterrupted power to critical systems.
Achieving milestones
With a total of 170,925 labor hours invested, this field team has been a driving force behind the project's success
This monumental project has been a multi-year endeavor, with GSL Electric's dedicated team working tirelessly for over three years and counting. The fact that the airport's expansion will continue in future phases through 2027, is a testament to the complexity and scale of the project.
Throughout this extensive project, GSL Electric's average crew size of 30 electricians, with a peak crew size reaching up to 70 electricians, demonstrates the ability to mobilize resources effectively and efficiently. With a total of 170,925 labor hours invested, this field team has been a driving force behind the project's success. Perhaps the most commendable aspect of GSL Electric's involvement is their impeccable safety record. In an industry where safety is paramount, GSL Electric has achieved a remarkable feat by recording no recordable injuries.
Recognition for the GSL Team
They’d like to take this opportunity to recognize some of the key members of the GSL team who worked behind the scenes to ensure that this immense undertaking was a success.
- Andrew Ortiz - Superintendent, has been instrumental in organizing and coordinating with the General Contractor, Owner's Project Manager, and Owner. His extensive preplanning of underground and above-ground feeders, branch homeruns, and contributions to the BIM Models have been crucial in achieving project milestones.
- Rick Edwards - GSL's Onsite Safety Superintendent, under his vigilant eye the project has achieved a remarkable milestone, a spotless safety record with no recordable injuries. This achievement prompted Rex Mitchell, Safety Director from HD, to extend his heartfelt gratitude to Rick Edwards, recognizing his tireless dedication to safety and his embodiment of a safety culture that transcends professional responsibilities.
- Chris Spencer - Coordinator, has been the linchpin in making and modifying forms and reports tailored to the project's needs. His efforts in PCO Pricing, tracking and submitting RFI's, daily reports, and labor tracking have contributed to smooth project management.
- Kelly Blackard - General Foreman, has overseen the specialty foreman and played a pivotal role in coordinating with other systems foremen, ensuring seamless integration of various electrical components.
- Jeremy Tabone - Foreman, has been instrumental in one-line power installation, switchboards, panelboards, transformers, and extensive testing, inspections, and startup documentation.
- Nicolas Christensen - Lighting Foreman, has expertly managed lighting control systems, integrating components from multiple manufacturers to meet the project's unique requirements.
- Jeramiah Nielson - Fire Alarm Foreman, ensured the timely startup and commissioning of GSL's Phase 1 5 Gate turnover to Delta, earning accolades from the General Contractor. His commitment extended to assisting Taylor Electric with Phase 2, showcasing GSL Electric's adaptability and expertise.
- Shawn Harris - Branch Power Foreman, handled the installation of power conduit and wire, power wiring devices, mechanical and building equipment hookups.
- Phillip Harmston - initially involved in BIM coordination for the project, transitioned to become the QAQC specialist. His dedication to clearing Punchlist and Deficiency items ensured the project's flawless execution.
They would also like to extend the gratitude to all of the field electricians who worked on the project in any capacity. Their dedication to professionalism, commitment to maintaining a safe work environment, expertise and craftsmanship exhibited itself throughout the project and the results of their hard work will be appreciated by airport guests and personnel for years to come.
