Marwa Ayad is project manager for the Utility Infrastructure Campus-Wide (UICW), one of the Journey With AUS expansion program projects. With an associate degree in electrical engineering, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering, she is the right person for the job!

The UICW is the project that will lay the groundwork -literally- for the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Ayad oversees the airport’s campus-wide utility infrastructure upgrades that will power the New Arrivals and Departures Hall and Concourse B – two cornerstone projects of the Journey With AUS expansion program. She explained, “The UICW project is the invisible engine behind the AUS expansion—upgrading and extending critical utilities to support the airport’s future growth.”

The UICW project taps into Ayad’s full range of engineering experience: electrical engineering for power lines, civil engineering for water lines, and geotechnical engineering for the underground systems that support them. “We’re not just building for today- we’re laying the groundwork for the next decades of airport operations,” Ayad explained.

Marwa Ayad

Ayad described the myriad components of the UICW project. “This includes everything from storm/water quality drainage system, chilled/hot water piping, medium voltage power distribution center, power duct banks, telecommunication duct banks, and reclaimed water piping.”

She is mindful of making the airport’s infrastructure the strongest it can be going into the future. “We’re building redundancy, especially in electrical and telecommunication systems—to ensure uninterrupted service and resilience.”

The UICW project is prioritizing environmental stewardship and sustainability. Ayad shared, “We’re integrating advanced stormwater and water quality management systems to mitigate environmental impact.” For example, Ayad said, “The water quality and deicing ponds are designed to protect local ecosystems while supporting airport operations.”

Another example of her UICW leadership is that Ayad oversees the engineers and technicians surveying the topography of the airport. The most accurate, current topographical maps are needed to best plan and install the utility infrastructure.

Ayad also oversees the teams responsible for subsurface data collection. To safely expose and assess underground utility infrastructure, the crews use hydro excavation—a precise, non-destructive technique that uses pressurized water to gently remove soil while minimizing the risk of damage. Boring drills are used during the data collection phase to extract physical samples of subsurface materials.

In order to seamlessly integrate the utilities with other parts of the AUS campus, Ayad meets regularly with various Austin Aviation departments. Ayad said, “One of the most complex aspects is coordinating with other AUS Expansion and Development projects—ensuring our utility work aligns with terminal expansions, roadways, and other facilities.” By working together across teams, the team has been able to head off issues and keep the project moving efficiently. Ayad very successfully led value engineering efforts to best steward the UICW’s budget.

Ayad recognizes that her role is mostly behind the scenes at the airport. “While passengers may never see these systems, they’ll feel the benefits—better climate control, reliable power and smoother operations across the airport.” She likens the UICW project as the lifeblood of the airport, “Think of the UICW project as the circulatory system of the airport—quietly but critically supporting every function.”

Journey With AUS expansion program map

Because the UICW project touches every part of the airport, Ayad’s role also involves working closely with stakeholders. She feels that it is important to build trust through early and frequent communication. She shared, “I believe in engaging stakeholders early and often—before decisions are made—so they feel heard, informed, and empowered. This approach builds trust and reduces surprises, especially in a dynamic environment like an active airport.”

Ayad, a graduate of New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, summarized, “Our goal is to deliver a utility system that’s not only robust but also adaptable to future technologies and needs.” The UICW is currently in the design phase, with construction to start next year.