McFarland Johnson was tasked with the rehabilitation of the main runway at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, a busy commercial services airport in upstate New York. MJ's tasks were to evaluate the existing pavement and then develop plans for construction that would not only provide a safe environment to the crews and airport users, but also provide an environment that allowed the highest quality construction techniques to be employed.

Destructive and non-destructive technologies were used to evaluate the existing pavement system, including the use of Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing, evaluation of pavement cores, borings, and the testing of both the existing subbase and subgrade materials to determine such properties as gradation, service load capacities, susceptibility to frost action, and drainage capabilities. All of these properties were evaluated to develop pavement rehabilitation alternatives that not only address current pavement aircraft loading requirements, but incorporate future airport needs for Runway 10-28, the Airport's primary runway.

Construction phasing strategy alternatives were developed to allow the Airport to evaluate the impacts that each would have on airport operations and specific airport users. Close coordination with tenants and users allowed each party a forum to voice concerns and preferences regarding project implementation. As with all of our airport projects, the goal was to provide the highest quality construction, minimize impacts on airport operations, and provide the Owner with a product that was tailored to their specific needs.

The end result was the development of a pavement rehabilitation plan that provides the airport and airport tenants with a runway surface capable of servicing the demands of this environment for many years. The runway closures were kept to a minimum and scheduled during time periods when the tenants, tower, and airport operations agreed would minimize operational impacts, while still meeting the requirements for quality of construction. Bottom line…..the project was finished on time, within budget and to the highest industry standards.