LOS ANGELES-Nationally-renowned infrastructure solutions firm HNTB Corporation recently completed rehabilitating the primary runway of the Van Nuys Airport with an innovative phasing model designed to expedite completion. HNTB implemented the $20.5-million project with reduced runway closures of 10 days and 26 nights for complete reconstruction of the 8,000-foot runway. The creative phasing model included partnering with stakeholders and developing a four-phase construction plan to reduce runway closures and airport interruptions.

“Collaborating with key stakeholders early in the process enabled us to develop a mutually beneficial solution and successfully execute the project,” says Laddie Irion, HNTB senior VP and national aviation market sector leader. “This approach is a model for airports across the nation on how to design maintenance projects with minimal disruptions to airport operations.”

Van Nuys Airport tasked HNTB to complete an asphalt repaving and reconstruction of the north, south and central parts of the runway while meeting the airport's operational challenges and timeline needs. HNTB project engineers designed the phasing model to allow for continued aircraft operations throughout construction, which involved shortening the runway to 5,000 feet and building a blast fence for workers, while remaining flexible to accommodate daily-discoveries of underground utilities. During a three-month period, the reconstruction would need to move from 30 percent to 100 percent design with a nine months of stakeholder collaboration to follow. The total rehabilitation project took place over a seven-month period.