Aviation
New Airport Development

Sioux County Regional
Airport Takes Flight
Development of New Airport Culminates
with November 2018 Grand Opening
Project Owner:
Sioux County Regional Airport Authority
Key Features:
- Airport Grading
- Airport Paving
- Navigational Systems
- Approach Development
- 5,500 ft. Runway
- Runway/Taxiway Lighting Systems
- Precision Approach Path Indicators
- Runway End Identifier Lights
- Medium Approach Lighting System
- Drainage Improvements
- Landside Development
- Hangars
- Terminal Building
- Parking Facilities
- Electrical Facilities
- Utilities
- Fueling Facilities
- Access Road
The two existing airports in Sioux County, Iowa, built 50 years ago, had constraints that limited both usage and aircraft size. Discussions for a new regional airport to address these issues began in 1999, although earthwork did not begin until 201.
DGR Engineering (DGR) led the design and construction phase engineering for the development of the $30 million airport. Tasks included all phases of design and construction engineering activities.
In all, 17 general contractors and major subcontractors were involved in the project, which opened in November of 2018. Not only can the new regional airport receive larger planes, it can also provide hangar space for 40 aircraft, and has a larger aircraft maintenance shop along with increased charter office space.
In addition to several other phases of the extensive project, construction of the runways and taxiways were completed in three phases beginning with a $3.5 million first grading phase in 2016. The construction of the $4 million initial paving project was completed in fall 2017. A final $5 million paving and electrical project was completed in 2018.
DGR also provided design and construction services for support facilities that included a new 15,400 square foot terminal building and hangar. The terminal building serves as fixed base operator (FBO) offices and as the airport arrival/departure facility.
The hangar also supports FBO services for the new airport. DGR also designed and provided construction observation for the new fuel system which includes twin 12,000 gallon tanks for aviation and jet fuel.


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Airport Electrical Expertise

Complex Airport project requires Aviation and Electrical expertise
Lighting, Signing & Instrument Landing Systems
Brookings, SD Regional Airport
Project Owner:
City of Brookings, SD
Key Experience:
- Coordination and design of navigational equipment and
systems owned and operated by the FAA - Coordination with other firms
Key Features:
- High-end aviation-electrical engineering
- New runway, new facilities and relocation of existing facilities
Improvements:
- Runway and taxiway lighting
- Lighted airport signs
- Precision approach path indicators
- Visual aids
- Instrument approach landing system including medium approach lighting system
- Runway alignment indicator lights
- Localizer
- Glide slope tower and facilities
- Automated weather observation system
- Instrument landing system
- Outer marker and related facilities
DGR Engineering (DGR) collaborated with a long-standing airport engineering partner at the Brookings, SD Regional Airport to provide unique airport-electrical expertise and designed the $2.3 million airport electrical and instrument landing system. The total cost for the reconstruction project was $20 million.
This project involved coordination and design of navigational equipment and systems that are owned and operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Therefore, DGR coordinated heavily with the FAA’s Navaids (navigation aids) Engineering Center in Chicago. The project required significant coordination to comply with the FAA internal equipment procurement process.
The primary runway was also being reconstructed on a new alignment, so this project included new electrical facilities and the relocation of several existing facilities.
High-end aviation-electrical engineering is a DGR specialty. Some firms do airports, some do electrical, not many do both. DGR Engineering is unique, offering both specialties under one roof. This enables DGR to take on more complex airport-electrical projects and integrate these services for clients.



Featured Projects
- All
- Aviation
- Civil
- Electrical Power
- Survey
- Wastewater
- Water
New Water Treatment Plant
New Water Treatment Plant delivers higher quality and more economical water.
Osgood, IA
New Water Distribution System
The City’s residents enjoy high quality water that comes to them in a new and reliable distribution system.
Revere, MN
Site Development, Utility Improvements
A multi-phase plan for infrastructure projects was developed for the City of Alton.
Alton, IA
Neighborhood Reconstruction
Health, safety and public welfare were all improved by this project.
Brandon, SD
DGR Engineering provided design and construction services for support facilities at the new Sioux County Regional Airport. Plans included a new 15,400 square foot hangar and terminal building. The hangar supports fixed base operator (FBO) services for the new airport. The attached terminal building serves as FBO offices and as the airport arrival/departure facility.
DGR also designed and assisted with construction observation for a new fuel system to include twin 12,000 gallon tanks for avgas and jet fuel.
DGR Engineering collaborated with a long-standing airport engineering partner at the Watertown, SD Regional Airport to provide electrical design and construction services for the airport including runway and taxiway lights, lighted signs and airport electrical systems upgrades. This project involved the installation of improvements at an active commercial service airport. Significant phasing and staging was required for the project to minimize impact on airport operations.
DGR Engineering completed a recent apron expansion and runway rehabilitation project. DGR is currently designing a hangar area taxiway project. DGR previously provided design and construction services for the $3 million development of a new runway and taxiway. DGR has also managed new hangar facilities, drainage projects, pavement rehabilitation, and other related projects for a total cost of improvements at the airport of over $5 million. Current active projects include: new hangar area development, taxiway design, AWOS relocation, and private hangar development.