Vancouver Airport PCC Slab Replacement Program

7 years of complex project phasing

Runway PCC panels replaced and reopened to traffic in under 48 hours

Innovating for safe and smooth airfield operations

Challenges

Limited and defined aircraft gate, taxiway, and runway closure windows
Existing high-water table and extreme weather conditions
Extensive coordination with security, operations, airlines, stakeholders, contractor, and suppliers
Control of foreign object debris (FOD) during demolition and formulation of contingency plans

Solutions

The project was staged over seven years and broken into more than 20 construction phases to minimize the number and duration of aircraft gate and taxiway/runway closures.
With careful planning, coordination, scheduling, and new concrete technology, the disruption to the airport’s high traffic areas, including the runway, was shortened to mere days.

Highlights

To minimize the removal of existing pavement layers and avoid excavating below the high-water table, the FAARFIELD software program was used extensively to design efficient and constructible solutions for new pavement structures.
All crushed concrete and granular material was reused, eliminating the costly need to remove material offsite.
Because of its rapid strength-gain characteristics, Lafarge Canada’s ChronoliaTM concrete was used. Eleven PCC panels were removed and replaced over five different areas of Runway 08L-26R , returning it back to service after a 46-hour closure.

“Hatch is a key business partner whose employees bring a spirit of teamwork and collaboration….and has contributed to our ongoing success in delivering projects which meet and exceed expectations.”

Brett Patterson | Director of Engineering Projects, Vancouver Airport Authority