Oil Boom Means Growth for North Dakota Airports

DFW Airport (Texas)

Thanks to its shale oil supply, North Dakota is experiencing an unprecedented industrial boom, and thousands of people are moving to the state each week for new jobs. These oil reserves are largely contained within the Bakken Region, a unit of rock that stretches from North Dakota to Manitoba and Saskatchewan. And while this shale oil could yield long-term economic benefits, it's currently taking a heavy toll on the state's transportation systems. In particular, North Dakotan airports are more crowded than ever before.

Two airports in particular provide evidence of this population growth. Dickinson’s Roosevelt Regional Airport served thousands more passengers in 2013 than in 2012, and Williston’s Sloulin Field International Airport handled tens of thousands more. Thus, state leaders are reviewing ways to increase air travel capacity. One answer is to pay for airport construction by utilizing Oil and Gas Impact Grant Funds, which are derived from taxes on the oil industry.

Modular construction represents a promising solution because modular buildings have already provided great help to an important hub of American aviation: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

In Dallas, 15 modular offices were set up to facilitate the building of a new terminal. Much of the construction took place during the airport’s comparatively quiet hours so there was the least disruption possible. Connected by covered walkways, these offices take up 74,880 square feet, accommodate 600 employees, and include 105 modules. Restrooms, a conference room, and even a drug-testing facility are all part of this complex.

FAA Training Center (New York)

Besides the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, modular construction also aided in supplying the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) an air traffic control training center in Westbury, N.Y. FAA officials decided to establish a modular training facility because they wanted a building that could be built quickly and efficiently. The resulting two-story structure measures 5,740 square feet and consists of eight modules. A classroom, administrative headquarters, and flight simulators are all housed on these premises. Plus, the facility meets all government regulations and incorporates extensive energy-efficient technology.

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