MSP Airport Tunnel LED Lighting Upgrade

Hunt Electric is serving as the prime contractor for the 2026 Tunnel Lighting LED Upgrade at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The project modernizes the tunnel located beneath runways 17 and 35 by replacing aging lighting infrastructure with a new energy-efficient LED system designed to improve driver safety, reliability, and long-term operational performance.

The comprehensive upgrade includes new light fixtures, conduit, conductors, lighting controls, electrical distribution, and replacement of much of the existing fixture support structure.

Infrastructure improvements within an active international airport require meticulous planning, coordination, and phased execution. Hunt Electric’s Advanced Construction Planning team developed a phased approach that allows work to proceed safely within secure airside environments, public landside areas, and active roadways while minimizing impacts to airport operations.

As prime contractor, Hunt Electric is coordinating every aspect of the project, from logistics and traffic control modifications to custom fabrication and lighting controls integration, ensuring each phase is delivered safely and efficiently.

Hunt Electric is providing:

• Advanced Construction Planning (ACP)
• Electrical construction
• Complete LED lighting system replacement
• Lighting control integration
• Electrical distribution upgrades
• Conduit and conductor replacement
• Fixture support structure replacement
• Project management and construction logistics

Key Features

Comprehensive LED Infrastructure Upgrade

The project replaces nearly every major component of the tunnel lighting system.

Key elements included:

• New LED lighting fixtures
• Replacement conduit and conductors
• Updated lighting control systems
• Electrical distribution improvements
• New fixture support infrastructure

Advanced Construction Planning

Careful planning is essential when construction occurs within an active airport environment.

Key responsibilities included:

• On-site material storage
• Demolished material disposal and recycling
• Traffic control modifications
• Project scheduling and coordination
• Custom fixture support fabrication
• Aerial work platform coordination
• Overall project logistics management

Phased Construction in Secure Areas

The work is being completed while maintaining continuous airport operations.

Key considerations included:

• Construction within SIDA secure airside locations
• Work in non-secure landside areas
• Operations adjacent to active roadways
• Phased construction minimizing operational impacts
• Coordination across multiple airport stakeholders

Complex Systems Integration

The tunnel incorporates multiple generations of lighting infrastructure that required coordinated modernization.

Key features included:

• Multiple fixture types
• Various mounting configurations
• Integration of multiple source systems
• Coordinated lighting controls modernization
• Standardized infrastructure supporting long-term maintenance

Why Hunt Electric

Hunt Electric delivers complex electrical infrastructure projects where planning, logistics, and operational continuity are critical to success. By combining Advanced Construction Planning, experienced field leadership, and integrated project management, our team helps clients modernize essential infrastructure while maintaining safe, uninterrupted operations in highly regulated environments.

Powering Critical Transportation Infrastructure

From airports and transportation corridors to other mission critical facilities, Hunt Electric delivers electrical solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and long-term system performance.