Skip to main content

Runway rebuild for Detroit airport

A US contractor has employed equipment from Guntert & Zimmerman to help carry out a runway rebuild at Detroit Metro Airport The busy airport handles around 30 million passengers/year and the project had to be carried out in a tight timeframe as a result, with the paving crew working 16 hours/day to meet the schedule. Ajax Construction has been using its G&Z S850 paver for the work, which was needed as the existing concrete surface on runway 4L/22R had suffered from an alkali silica reaction (ASR). The
January 25, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Equipment from G&Z has been used to rebuild a runway suffering from alkali silica reaction
A US contractor has employed equipment from 225 Guntert & Zimmerman to help carry out a runway rebuild at Detroit Metro Airport

The busy airport handles around 30 million passengers/year and the project had to be carried out in a tight timeframe as a result, with the paving crew working 16 hours/day to meet the schedule.

Ajax Construction has been using its G&Z S850 paver for the work, which was needed as the existing concrete surface on runway 4L/22R had suffered from an alkali silica reaction (ASR). The 3km long by 46m wide runway had to be replaced, using a total of 170,438m3 of PCC concrete. The 457mm of crushed aggregate base for the concrete runway was retained however as the base for the new concrete surface. The paver was used along with texture cure equipment from 218 GOMACO and Guntert & Zimmerman for the project as well as 2122 Trimble stringless machine control technology, so as to ensure the surface would meet the tight specifications of the runway project.

The runway was closed for the work and the old concrete was milled out to a depth of 432mm, along with 75mm of the 228m bituminous base underneath, leaving the 457mm crushed aggregate base untouched. Paving was carried out in multiple passes to a width of 5.7m, with 510mm dowel bars also being used. The project also called for full depth reclamation of the asphalt shoulders and their aggregate base structures, and their replacement with new layers. New 127mm deep asphalt shoulders were constructed on top of 228mm aggregate base structures on either side of the runway, along with underdrain improvements to optimise water removal after heavy rain showers.

Other work included installing new, high efficiency LED runway lighting for the resurfaced runway as well as new markings and security fencing.

There is still a portion of the work for the airport to be carried out in 2017 and this will involve additional paving for some taxiways and parking areas.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Atlanta airport’s new apron
    October 12, 2012
    The new Maynard H Jackson Jr International Terminal at Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport is now open for business. The 111,484m2 terminal features 12 gates, eight security checkpoints, separate levels for arrivals and departures, as well as a 148,831m2 concrete apron for aircraft to park on arrival. Archer Western won the contract to slipform the concrete apron, replace the existing Taxiway D, as well as other utilities and embankment work. The firm brought in one of its GOMACO paving trains
  • Repairing concrete roads using new technology
    July 28, 2015
    In the US state of Arkansas, a key stretch of concrete roads has been improved, allowing it to cope with current traffic volumes.
  • Concrete competition
    February 13, 2012
    The concrete paving market has provided stable ground for existing players, though key market developments are in hand. US manufacturers have long dominated the concrete paving sector with well-known firms such as GOMACO, Guntert & Zimmerman, Power Curbers, Power Pavers and Terex all being based in the US, while German firm Wirtgen is Europe's leading contender in this market. However there is some jostling for position in the concrete paving sector, with some of the players looking to enter new segments. T
  • Advances in concrete paving technology will increase efficiency
    July 1, 2014
    New developments in concrete paving will increase working efficiency for contractors - Mike Woof writes The concrete paving market is a fiercely competitive segment of the off-highway construction machinery business. Although there are only a few key players in this niche market, the firms are constantly developing new systems, equipment and methods in a bid to help improve working efficiencies for contractors working in the sector. It is of note that the majority of the key players in the concrete pavin