April 13, 2011

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT NAMED HISTORIC LANDMARK BY AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

SANTA ANA, Calif. - John Wayne Airport (JWA) has been named a Local Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Orange County Branch and is one of only three airports worldwide bestowed with this honor.

A bronze plaque was presented to JWA in a ceremony held in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal last week, and has been placed permanently on a column in the Terminal B baggage claim area.

"Civil engineers have played a large part in building the Riley Terminal and are instrumental to the development of our current $543 million Airport Improvement Program," said Airport Director Alan L. Murphy.

John Wayne Airport was selected for this designation for unique projects it has contributed to the Orange County over the years, including:

• Construction of the 5,700 foot main runway (1L/19R);
• Accommodating approximately 30 aircraft on an overnight parking area to allow dozens of departures from its 14 gates within the first two hours each morning when the Airport opens; and
• Being one of the first airports in the country to implement automated in-line screening of all baggage prior to loading on aircraft, a requirement by the federal government following the events of September 11, 2001.

"JWA has contributed to the development of the Civil Engineering profession by demonstrating what can be done at an airport in a constrained urban environment," said Ziad Mazboudi, ASCE Orange County Branch President.

Looking north - John Wayne Airport, Orange County - Terminal C construction and airfield

John Wayne Airport's 5,700 foot commercial air carrier runway - 1L/19R

Pictured L-R - Alan L. Murphy, John Wayne Airport Director; Ziad Mazboudi, ASCE OC Branch President; Bill Lawson, ASCE OC, History & Heritage Committee Chair; John M. W. Moorlach, Vice Chairman, Orange County Board of Supervisors

 

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the County of Orange. Ten airlines serve nearly nine million passengers annually between Orange County and twenty nonstop destinations.

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