We completed engineering design for pavement repairs to Runway 2-20, the primary runway at Columbia Regional Airport. We also led stakeholder engagement efforts during bidding phases and provided on-site construction representation throughout the project.
Much of the runway, built in 1968, was still in good condition, but a survey we conducted identified portions of the runway adjacent to connecting taxiways that showed significant signs of distress, including longitudinal cracking and shattered slabs at four intersections.
During design and bidding phases, airport representatives, tenants, airlines, air traffic control staff and local Federal Aviation Administration personnel attended stakeholder meetings that solicited key input that was incorporated into contract documents for bidding. This allowed airlines to plan well in advance of scheduled shutdown to make necessary adjustments to their fleet mix.
Incentives were put in place to encourage early completion of the project, minimizing the runway closure period and reducing impacts to airlines and other stakeholders. The contractor was able to achieve substantial completion 20 days early.
The project addressed the runway pavement areas with the lowest pavement condition index (PCI) values, ultimately allowing a delay of rehabilitation for the remainder of the runway for several years. With the completion of this partial rehabilitation, future funding can be spent on other airfield infrastructure projects listed on the current capital improvement plan.