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AirVenture Site
Improvements
Every construction project requires a solid foundation incorporating essential systems
and utilities as the starting point from
which to expand. The same is true for
the comprehensive, multi-year project
to upgrade the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds and facilities. Much of
the work accomplished since last fall
has focused on essential underpinnings: site design and configuration;
drainage systems; roads and pathways;
electricity, water, communications, and
other utilities; and relocations of buildings and other structures.
Some observers of EAA’s work have
wondered how EAA will ensure that the
digging, hauling, stockpiling, and paving currently under way will not disrupt
the visitor experience at AirVenture
2009. “The site enhancements that we’ll
have made in time for AirVenture 2009
will provide yet another good reason to
come to the event. The infrastructure
changes will be accomplished, several
new amenities will be introduced, and
site navigation, wayfinding, and transportation will be improved,” said Steve
Taylor, EAA facilities manager.
“As we move into summer, we’ll
suspend heavy construction projects to
wrap up, clean up, and ready the site
for members’ and visitors’ arrival. Our
guests won’t have to navigate around
barrels, step over rubble, or be otherwise inconvenienced by an ‘under construction’ site,” he added.
One of the most visible infrastructure changes is the relocation of the
Main Gate approximately 400 feet west
of its previous location. This required
an extension of the main aircraft display taxiway and a course diversion of
Forest Home Drive.
From the main gate, two new thoroughfares will branch out diagonally,
one cutting its way to the northeast
toward the forums area and the other
making its way to the southeast to a
point behind Hangar D ending at the
“Paul’s Woods” neighborhood of Camp
Scholler. These thoroughfares form
a “V” overlaying the site’s otherwise
north/south and east/west grid of path-
