Spalding DeDecker (SD) is providing full design, survey, and hydraulic engineering services to relocate sections of the Irwin and Tucker Jones Drains. This project supports the planned 1,000-foot runway extension and taxiway improvements at Selfridge Air and National Guard Base (SANGB). Along with the drain work, the perimeter fencing and roadway need to be relocated, and culverts need to be upsized to accommodate new design parameters and regulations.
Key challenges for this project include meeting strict hydraulic and environmental standards, addressing upstream flooding, and mitigating waterfowl activity that poses risks to aircraft. Additional complexities involve coordination with FAA and military clear-zone requirements and maintaining base operations during critical roadway closures. SD’s proposed solutions introduce new drain alignments with reinforced channels to control erosion and deter waterfowl, improving safety and long-term resilience for vital military infrastructure.
