WEEK 1: August 18-21, 2015 marked the first construction phase of the West Michigan Regional Airport’s new Business Center and Aircraft Apron project. “This is the long-awaited project that will enhance this airport’s position as the primary access hub for economic global activity for this area,” said Greg Robinson, Airport Manager. “The West Michigan Airport Authority will focus on this project for the remainder of 2015 and most of 2016.
Tuesday morning got underway with a team that began surveying the site where silt fences will be installed. Environmentally friendly, these fences will be temporary sediment control devices that are used to protect water quality and retain sediment in place at the construction site.
During the week the Brush Hog or Brush Monster began the process of clearing brush and small trees. The blades are very heavy, up to an inch thick, and made of heat treated high carbon steel that can withstand strikes with hard objects such as rocks and stones. The blades on a rotary cutter can have top speeds of over 150 miles per hour (240 km/h). Therefore the kinetic energy enables the blades to cut through saplings and small trees up to several inches/centimeters in diameter.