Raleigh-Durham, NC
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority identified the need to rehabilitate portions of Taxiway B (initially constructed in the 1980s) based on the results of a pavement assessment completed in 2015 as part of RDU’s Master Plan Update project.
Ardurra (WK Dickson_ provided engineering services for the rehabilitation of Taxiway B from Taxiway C to B8, including connectors B5, B6, B7, and B8 as a portion of the north holding pad. The project included the removal of the existing concrete, asphalt base, and subgrade to a depth of 34”, constructing approximately 92,000 SY of new concrete pavement, and constructing new paved shoulders. Other elements included pavement marking, mid-field grading and drainage improvements, and turf restoration.
Taxiway B is a Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS) route; therefore, the project includes provisions for centerline lighting on Taxiway B within the project area. Electrical engineering included installation of centerline light cans and conduit only, rehabilitation or replacement of taxiway edge lights and circuitry associated with new paved shoulders and fillet revisions, along with taxiway signage evaluation and replacement. Additionally, any existing in-pavement lighting was also replaced within the project area.
The demolished concrete was crushed on-site and recycled into an aggregate base course, which provides additional support to the new pavement structure. The recycled concrete provided a drainable, select fill that improves water migration to the new underdrain system, mitigating the effects of the existing wet soils. The new pavement was constructed with a 12” recycled aggregate base course, a 6” lean concrete base, and a 16” P-501 PCC pavement.