Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Runway 18R-36L Rehabilitation

This DFW runway rehabilitation project was an extensive improvement to one of the airport’s primary runways, RW 18R-36L which is more than 2.5 miles long. Closing a major facility such as DFW’s Runway 18R-36L for construction requires substantial planning, and DFW needed the construction to be completed quickly and efficiently, so the runway could return to service as soon as possible. As a result, the design and construction time frames were shorter than the norm, but the team met the schedule through significant preparation, collaboration, and communication. Eighteen meetings (in addition to the numerous design meetings) were conducted for the express purpose of creating a construction phasing plan that facilitated the safe operation of aircraft and minimal operational impacts.

RS&H was the prime consultant responsible for preparing the construction bid documents and also provided on-site technical services during construction. In addition to the pavement, numerous other runway elements needed to be rehabilitated, such as airfield lighting and storm sewers. Recognizing the multiple moving parts, the RS&H team approached all aspects meticulously, working closely with specialized sub-consultants and the project stakeholders. Because of COVID, airport staff considered postponing the project and eventually decided to have RS&H conduct an extensive value engineering exercise to de-scope about $10M of proposed improvements.

DFW is committed to reducing its environmental impact and in 2019 became the first Carbon Neutral Airport in the Americas. In support of DFW’s sustainability focus, RS&H included environmentally sustainable initiatives within the project including requiring the concrete pavement panels removed from the runway to be crushed on site. The crushed material is then used as subbase for the runway and taxiway shoulders and no new materials will be required. In addition, the plans included multiple infiltration strips the length of the runway to reduce impacts of stormwater sheet flow and improve water quality. On-site PCC and HMA batch plants reduce the travel distance and roadway impacts further lowering the emissions created by the project.