"Ontario airport security upgrades delayed"

Monday, December 12, 2005

Ontario airport security upgrades delayed 
By Mason Stockstill 
The San Bernardino (CA) Sun
 
 
ONTARIO -- Construction snags have delayed a $14 million security upgrade
planned for Ontario International Airport. 
A new perimeter fence and other security enhancements have been on the table
for the airport since 2002, when Los Angeles World Airports -- the agency
that operates the airport -- received a $4.5 million federal grant for the
project. 

A second grant for $3 million was added in 2003, and the Board of Airport
Commissioners approved final plans for the project two years later.

But differences over what the work would cost have kept any construction
from beginning.

"There are higher construction costs than we had anticipated," said Mark
Massman, LAWA's deputy executive director of project and facilities
development. "The estimate we were comparing it to was out of date."

LAWA received two construction bids in July, both of which estimated the
project could cost roughly $14 million $6 million higher than what the
agency initially expected.

The project includes the replacement of 8 miles of fencing around the
airport. The existing fence is chain-link, and LAWA officials want higher
security.

"Some of the fences in some areas have architectural features, like the
fences between the terminals, which look nicer," Massman said. "In some
areas, where we worry about vehicles, we'll be putting in fences that have a
concrete base to them."

Additionally, the project calls for new security facilities at vehicle
entrances to the air field and a new 20-foot wide perimeter roadway for
security patrols.

The report to the Board of Airport Commissioners states that the security
improvements are necessary to meet requirements set by the Transportation
Security Administration. But Massman said that wasn't the case.

Nico Melendez of the TSA said there's no requirement for the airport to
improve its perimeter fence.

"Perimeter fencing and perimeter security (at Ontario International) meets
the minimum required TSA standards," Melendez said. "The airport is going
beyond those minimum requirements."

Federal standards for airport and passenger security increased after Sept.
11, 2001. Beginning next week, security screeners will allow more small
items such as scissors and screwdrivers in travelers' carry-on baggage.
There was no current timeline for when the project will be completed.
Massman said LAWA staff will make a recommendation at the next board meeting
whether to put the project out to bid again, or to accept the lower of the
two bids that has already come in.

 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************