Kimley-Horn Aviation Experts Featured in Airport Improvement Article about Detroit’s New FedEx Facility
Airport Improvement Magazine—a monthly publication sharing information on airport infrastructure projects as well as the professionals who bring them to life—published the article, “FedEx Doubles Down on Cargo Handling Capacity with New Facility at Detroit Metro” in its September 2025 edition. FedEx finished constructing a cargo ramp facility at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), consolidating operations from three separate buildings to one modern and expansive facility designed to accommodate greater cargo needs.
Kimley-Horn aviation experts Nathan Summers, PE, LEED AP; Henry Becht, PE; Tony Esposito, PE; and Matt Hadar, PE, provided key insight on FedEx’s decision that will strengthen Detroit’s role in national and international logistics.
Boosting Detroit’s Role in Air Cargo Logistics
Kimley-Horn served as the project’s civil and site engineer for airside and landside services, helping guide the project from inception to completion. Project manager Nathan Summers explained that the decision to consolidate FedEx’s operations was driven by an FAA-required taxiway realignment—and that the new facility would allow for future FedEx expansion.
Henry Becht, a designer for the airside components at DTW, noted the efficient turnover of FedEx’s operations from the old facility to the new one during construction. The project team used traffic simulation modeling to minimize disruptions, ensuring that sightlines on the airfield from the air traffic control tower weren’t compromised. To deliver a successful project, Tony Esposito, project manager, highlighted the importance of disseminating effective communication, safety protocols, and phasing plans across a variety of stakeholders.
The design teams used Procore, a construction project management platform, to ensure stakeholders and project partners received up-to-date drawings and corresponding communication, according to Matt Hadar, who also served as a designer for the project.
With Kimley-Horn’s services, the new cargo ramp facility will not only support DTW’s cargo-handling needs but also serve as an example of the power of collaborative partnerships and a model for future airport infrastructure projects.
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