Transportation
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
County-based fuel supplier to exchange trucks for pipeline
The largest transportation fuel supplier for Austin- Bergstrom International Airport, or ABIA, is gearing up to switch its fuel delivery system from more than 100 daily tankers driving a 40-mile round trip—each carrying 8,000 gallons of fuel—to a 10- inch, constantly owing, underground pipeline. The Flint Hills Resources team is in the nal preconstruction stage for the proposed pipeline that would run along SH 71 from the Jet-A Fuel terminal in Cedar Creek to ABIA in Austin. Andy Saenz, public aairs regional manager, said the current truck-based fuel delivery system operates under a “just in time” approach, which causes delays. Those delays can range from trac congestion to bad weather, not having enough drivers, and more.
Underground fuel delivery pipeline
Flint Hills Resources Bastrop Terminal
130
71
Austin
71
Austin Bergstrom International Airport
COURTESY FLINT HILLS RESOURCES
Bastrop
183
21
N
SOURCE: FLINT HILLS RESOURCESCOMMUNITY IMPACT
The big picture
The plan
The need for a more reliable fuel source comes alongside ABIA’s record-breaking growth. “ABIA’s expansion plans led us to start working on this about two years ago,” Saenz said. “Not to mention that most modern airports have dedi- cated pipelines with a constant supply of fuel, so it just makes sense.” Bastrop County’s population has seen a 21% increase between 2019-23—making it the 13th fastest-growing county in Texas, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. That increased population has also resulted in a heavier trac ow along SH 71. Texas Department of Transportation ocials have acknowledged that and are working to alleviate it with their
Fully funded by Flint Hills Resources, construction should take about six months and is expected to begin once permitting is completed in late 2025. The 20-mile pipeline will be 10 inches in diameter, and buried 4 feet underground, utilizing public right-of-ways. “It’s not huge like a water pipeline,” Saenz said. ”And it will never be seen, heard or smelled.” It will also be monitored 24/7, with the ability to immediately shut it down at the rst sign of an anomaly, he said.
Trucks versus pipeline Flint Hills Resources representatives said there are several benets to replacing trucks with a pipeline. Trucks Dependent on the weather Increases trac congestion Subject to driver availability Pipeline Lowers fuel emissions Reduces trac and potential wrecks Diminishes fuel disruptions
SOURCE: FLINT HILLS RESOURCESCOMMUNITY IMPACT
four-pronged 71 East Corridor project; the rst of which was completed last October.
FEBRUARY 19, 2025 10:30AM-1PM
JW MARRIOTT AUSTIN 110 E. 2ND ST. AUSTIN, TX 78701
JOIN US FOR THE AUSTIN GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
GO RED FOR WOMEN IS NATIONALLY SPONSORED BY ©2025 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, INC., A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. GO RED FOR WOMEN IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE AHA. THE RED DRESS DESIGN IS A TRADEMARK OF THE U.S. DHHS. UNAUTHORIZED USE PROHIBITED. in bloom ©2025 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, INC., A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TRADEMARK OF THE AHA. THE RED DRESS DESIGN IS A TRADEMARK OF THE U.S. DHHS. UNAUTHORIZED USE PROHIBI GO RED FOR WOMEN IS A REGISTERED SECOND CENTURY
11
BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook