Kentucky Air National Guard, Upgrade Gas Infrastructure
AGENCY: Kentucky Air National Guard
LOCATION: Louisville, Kentucky
SIZE: $1,387,008
PRIME: AACON General Contractors
AWARD DATE: September 2021
COMPLETED: November 2022
AACON General Contractors performed a comprehensive replacement of the basewide natural gas distribution system for the Kentucky Air National Guard, delivering a modernized, reliable, and fully integrated gas network across the installation. The project included installation of a new six-inch gas main forming a continuous loop around the base, replacement of branch lines serving 15 buildings, and full restoration of all disturbed areas. The work demonstrates AACON’s ability to execute complex underground utility projects in active military environments with minimal operational impact.
To accommodate the dense web of existing utilities beneath the installation, AACON performed the majority of excavation using hydro-excavation methods, ensuring precision, safety, and minimal disruption to mission-critical infrastructure. New casings were installed beneath roadway and sidewalk crossings, and the six-inch main was fusion-welded onsite and placed in excavated trenches according to valve locations and base layout. New ball valves were installed throughout the loop to provide sectional isolation and improve long-term system maintainability.
Following completion of the main loop, AACON installed new branch lines to 15 individual buildings, using mechanical excavation where hydro-excavation was not feasible. Each branch received its own set of ball valves and was backfilled and compacted to specification. AACON then issued a phased Sequence of Shut-Down Operations to the Kentucky Air National Guard, coordinating individually scheduled gas shutdowns for each building to remove and replace existing gas meters, regulators, and communication cabling without interrupting operations across multiple structures.
After successful commissioning of the system, AACON restored all disturbed areas, including final grading, seeding, mulching, and replacement of asphalt and concrete removed during installation. The project was completed on schedule, with responsive communication and high-quality workmanship earning AACON multiple Exceptional and Very Good CPAR ratings from the Kentucky Air National Guard.
The completed gas distribution system significantly improves reliability, resiliency, and maintainability for the installation, showcasing AACON’s expertise in underground utilities, military construction, and mission-critical infrastructure upgrades.
