Fresno City Council Awards $98.8 Million Contract to Rebuild Airport Runway

The Fresno City Council approved a $98.8 million construction contract on April 9, 2026, to rebuild Runway 11L-29R at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. DeSilva Gates Construction-Vanguard, a joint venture based in Dublin, California, will do the work over three years.

The council also approved $7.5 million in city funds and two consulting contracts: $1.16 million to Krazan of Fresno for testing and inspection, and $4.39 million to Kimley Horn for construction management. The contract was approved on consent — meaning no debate — and passed.

All three contracts include a provision that work proceeds each year only if Federal Aviation Administration funding comes through. The staff report says FAA funding is contingent, but does not state how much the FAA will pay or what happens if that funding falls through.

The Breakdown

• The city awarded a $98.8 million contract to DeSilva Gates Construction-Vanguard for runway reconstruction.
• The city appropriated $7.5 million of its own funds for fiscal year 2025-2026.
• Two consulting contracts were also approved: $1.16 million for testing and inspection, $4.39 million for construction management.
• All contracts are contingent on annual FAA funding, but the material does not state the FAA’s share or total project cost.
• The council approved the package on consent with no recorded debate.

What This Means for You

Your city council committed $7.5 million in city funds and approved contracts totaling over $104 million for airport runway work, with the contracts contingent on federal funding each year. The vote happened on consent — no discussion, no questions asked — so you didn’t get to hear anyone explain what happens if the FAA funding doesn’t materialize or why this contractor and these consultants were chosen.

What to Watch

The staff report says FAA funding is contingent but never states how much the FAA will actually pay or what the total project cost is — just the $7.5 million the city is putting in and the $98.8 million contract amount. Is the full $98.8 million covered by the FAA, or is the city on the hook for more than the $7.5 million stated? The material doesn’t say.

Who is DeSilva Gates Construction-Vanguard, and why did they win this contract? The material gives no detail on how many bids were received, what the selection criteria were, or whether this contractor has done work for the city before.

What happens if the FAA funding doesn’t come through in year two or year three? The contract includes a provision that work proceeds only if FAA funding is available each year, but the material doesn’t state what the city’s obligation is if that funding stops — does the contract pause, or is the city required to cover the shortfall?

Why was this approved on consent, with no debate? The vote happened on consent calendar with no recorded discussion.