C&S Project at Detroit Metro Receives Paving Award
In February, the Michigan Concrete Paving Association gave an Award of Excellence in the airports category for the Taxiway K reconstruction project at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The award was given to Wayne County Airport Authority (owner), prime consultant AECOM/DMJM Aviation, C&S Companies, and contractor Ajax Paving Industries. C&S provided civil design and construction inspection for the $17 million project. This fast-tracked project included the reconstruction of approximately 40,000 square yards of Taxiway Kilo and 60,000 square yards of apron portland cement concrete pavement that services the new North Terminal that opened in fall 2008.
The taxiway geometric design included determining the most demanding design aircraft. The design also included the addition of lead-ins and fillets at taxiway intersections. The final geometric design will allow for the future growth of the airport to service larger, more demanding aircraft.
C&S investigated different grading concepts to improve the overall drainage of both the apron and Taxiway Kilo. The existing taxiway had several surface drainage issues and did not meet FAA standards for taxiway surface gradients. The existing turf islands adjacent to Taxiway Kilo did not drain and had several areas of standing water that could attract wildlife. The final grading design corrected both the surface drainage and FAA standards issues. In addition, the turf islands adjacent to Taxiway Kilo were graded to eliminate standing water problems.
As part of the soil erosion and sediment control design, C&S prepared plans, details and specifications in accordance with MDEQ and local soil erosion standards. C&S prepared the soil erosion permit application for both Wayne County and MDEQ. In addition, C&S performed on-site weekly inspections during construction as required by Michigan certified storm water operators.
C&S completed the design of utility improvements within the pavement reconstruction limits, including water main and sanitary sewer replacements. C&S coordinated with local water operators to design the improvements such that service interruptions during construction were minimized and occurred at times when end users were least affected. In addition, the design had to include special provisions to protect the existing utilities during the demolition of the existing taxiway and apron pavement.