Exceeded Safety Standards During Runway Reconstruction

The FAA has named Addison Airport in the Dallas, TX, suburb as the winner of its Excellence in Construction Safety Award for the recent successfully completion of a major runway reconstruction project. The award recognizes the airport exceeded stringent FAA safety standards during the project. The project team was honored with the award yesterday during the FAA Southwest Regions' 2011 Fall Conference awards luncheon.

The runway reconstruction project included upgraded and improved approach and airport lighting, drainage and grading along the airport's 7,200 foot runway. In addition, the runway received a new layer of asphalt and portions of the runway were reconstructed down to its base. Work at the airport included 1263 truckloads of asphalt, 181 miles of new paint, 22 miles of electrical cable and enough grass to cover 35 professional football fields.

"Addison is constantly vigilant when it comes to safety—safety for our pilots, for our tenants, and for the general public," said Mayor Todd Meier. "The Town is committed to continuing to invest in the airport for the benefit of our tenants, the traveling public and especially our owners, the citizens of Addison. This award recognizes the hard work of the airport and Town staff, as well as the contractors, all of whom went above and beyond to complete this important project safely, and on-time and under budget."

"This project was especially challenging because Addison Airport is one of the regions busiest general aviation airports and was open and operating during most of the construction process," said Joel Jenkinson, airport director. "It was a complex project with a tight schedule and a commitment to interfere as little as possible with the airport's operations. Safety was our highest priority. Contractor supervisors had to pass the airport's Movement Area driver training program and an Airport Access course to make sure they understood how to operate safely in an active aviation environment."

The project team receiving the award included members of the Addison Airport staff and representatives of Garver Engineers and EAS Contracting.

The project was completed with no incursions or surface incidents by anyone working on the project. The project was 90 percent funded by the FAA Airport Improvement Program through a block grant to the TX-DOT Aviation Division, with the airport providing 10 percent of the $11.6 million budget.

FMI: www.addisonairport.net, www.faa.gov