FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2015
For additional information, please contact:
Arlando S. Teller, Program Manager
Department of Airports Management, Navajo DOT
Phone: 505.371.8300
E: [email protected]
Charlie McDermott, Senior Project Manager
Armstrong Consultants, Inc.
Phone: 602.803.7079
E: [email protected]
Historic Navajo Nation Airports System Agreement
Window Rock, AZ – Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye has signed a historic contract procuring engineering services to
improve airports across the Navajo Nation, including but not limited to the Chinle, Tuba City, Window Rock, Crownpoint and
Shiprock Airports. The contract, awarded to Armstrong Consultants, Inc., will provide airport engineering, architectural and
planning services. Additionally, Armstrong will conduct environmental studies, design services, bidding services, construction
administration services, grant coordination services, capital improvement programming and miscellaneous studies and
consulting for the Navajo Nation. The contract paves the way for the Nation to complete vital projects necessary to maintaining
the serviceable condition and safety of the existing airport infrastructure and to accomplish projects which will enhance airport
facilities and services.
In May 2014, the Navajo Division of Transportation (Navajo DOT) Department of Airports Management undertook the
development of the Navajo Nation Airport System Master Plan. Under the direction of Department Manager Arlando Teller,
the purpose of the study was to create a roadmap for future development of the airport system. During the development of the
master plan, Mr. Teller committed to ensuring that Navajo Nation citizens had ample opportunity explain their experiences
with the current airports and how they could address citizens’ needs moving into the future. The essential comprehensive public
outreach program listened to the public, collected ideas, and reviewed the input that ultimately was used by the Navajo DOT
Department of Airports Management to assist in the preparation of the Airport System Master Plan.
The Master Plan Study described and depicted the overall concept for the short, medium, and long-term development of each
airport. It presented the concepts in a written report supplemented graphically by the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) drawing set.
The study also identified and prioritized the improvements and the investments needed to enhance safety at the airports and
improve operating conditions. The goal was to provide direction for the future airport system development in a financially
feasible manner which met the needs of the Navajo Nation. With the completion of the Master Plan, the Department of Airports
Management started discussions with the Office of the President and Vice President, the Navajo Nation Council, the Federal
Aviation Administration, the Arizona Department of Transportation, and the New Mexico Department of Transportation
seeking agreement and funding resources for the proposed $62 million dollar Navajo Nation Airport Improvement Program.
Armstrong President Dennis Corsi commented, “Though we have been working for and with the Navajo Nation and Department
of Airports Management for many years now, we are extremely excited for and appreciative of the execution of this precedent
setting 5-Year on-call contract to improve and develop the Navajo Nation airports.”
After the signing of the agreement, Mr. Teller added: “This is a significant component to the Nation’s airport system
infrastructure and overall improvement.”
With the signing of the Armstrong, Inc. agreement and contract, the sovereign Navajo Nation is moving closer to fulfilling the
visions of the Airport System Master Plan:
Hózhǫ ́ ǫ ́ jí bee Adéest’ı̨ ́ ı̨ ́ ’
(Beauty Way Statement)
“A safe, accessible, and environmentally responsible airport system that enriches sustainability, selfsufficiency, and respects our prestigious Navajo Nation culture benefiting future Dine’ generations.”
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