Planes, Drains, and Automobiles: Design Criteria for Storm Water Drainage Facilities at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Expansion

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, a major commercial airport, is located on 465 hectares in northwest St. Louis County. To enhance inclement weather operations the City of St. Louis has undertaken an ambitious airport expansion plan located on approximately 445 hectares west-southwest of the existing airfield limits. This plan includes the addition of a 2,700 meter by 46 meter Category III runway, a dual parallel taxiway system and relocation and tunneling of Lindbergh Boulevard. Due to the size and complexity of this project, several regulating authorities are involved. This paper will document the challenges that faced the designers to determine the correct design criteria and balance conflicting design requirements. The three important aspects of the stormwater design which were addressed include: (1) The Cowmire Creek watershed and the proposed Cowmire Creek detention basin, (2) The Coldwater Creek watershed and proposed Coldwater Creek detention basin, and (3) Stormwater drainage tunnels at two low points of Lindbergh Boulevard relocation.