Harmonizing airport expansion with community and infrastructure

By Kevin Spitz on 02/05/2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in 1611 Titan Dr., Rantoul, IL 61866

Join Kevin Spitz of Mead & Hunt as he presents in person at the Spring 2026 Kent Seminar Series Thursday, February 5, from 2-3 p.m. (CT).

The Spring 2026 semester is set to feature 14 presentations, each addressing a topic related to innovation trends in aviation. See the full lineup of speakers for Spring 2026 semester.

Pizza and soft drinks will be provided beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the ICT Classroom. 

All presentations will be held on Zoom, but some speakers will present in person at ICT.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://go.illinois.edu/KentSeminar

Meeting ID: 856 1731 4207  
Passcode: 019160

Abstract and Bio

When evaluating engineering challenges at airports, designers can easily focus on technical solutions in isolation. However, successfully integrating an airport into surrounding infrastructure and neighboring communities is often just as critical. This presentation explores transportation engineering considerations unique to airport environments that may not be immediately apparent to designers. Topics include how airport expansion interacts with existing roadways, utilities and land uses, and why early coordination with community and infrastructure stakeholders is essential to developing practical, sustainable airport solutions.

Kevin Spitz, PE, CM, is an aviation engineering department manager at Mead & Hunt and an adjunct lecturer for CEE 407: Airport Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2008) and a Master of Business Administration with an aviation focus from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois (2023).