Laredo International Airport Master Plan and Pavement Management Program

Laredo International Airport (LRD), situated on the Mexican border in southeast Texas, has long been a vital gateway for passengers and international cargo operations. To support its vision for sustainable growth and enhanced functionality, the City of Laredo partnered with RS&H to deliver strategic updates that benefit both the airport and its users. From modernizing infrastructure to refining long-term planning, these efforts laid the groundwork for LRD’s continued success. 

RS&H collaborated with the City of Laredo to update the Airport Master Plan and Pavement Management Program. Updating the LRD 2015 Master Plan was a prerequisite for FAA grant funding through the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP), serving as a 20-year planning map for airfields, airspace, terminal areas, landside facilities, and their associated pavement management programs.  

A significant part of this effort included creating a comprehensive plan tailored to address key facility concerns regarding global cargo operations. This was part of a forecasting effort that determined trends and market factors that may have affected cargo operations. Cargo forecasts were prepared for the dynamic international cargo operation hosted at LRD, with local and national growth trends and variables used to project future cargo demands. Areas on the airport where cargo facilities could have been expanded were identified and evaluated.   

RS&H also assisted LRD with an update to the airport’s pavement management system. FAA Advisory Circular 150/5335-5 (Version D, dated 4/29/2022) dictated that all public-use paved runways at all Part 139 certificated airports be assigned PCR values by September 30, 2024. While the immediate requirement was for Runways, the FAA recommended reporting pavement strength “for all paved runways, taxiways, and aprons” at all airports.   

The proposed project consisted of a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) inspection, preparation of a Pavement Management Plan (PMP), and calculation of the Pavement Classification Rating (PCR). RS&H analyzed the airfield pavements and developed a prediction model to determine the PCI values of the pavement ten years in the future.   

RS&H’s technical expertise and tailored solutions created a roadmap for LRD to meet growing demands confidently. Passengers benefit from improved infrastructure and seamless travel experiences, while cargo operators gain more efficient facilities to support their operations. Together, these advancements cement LRD’s position as a vital economic engine for its region.