Transportation

Location

Miami, FL

Owner

Miami-Dade County Aviation Department

Contractor

Gilbert Southern Corp.

Value

$115 million

Completion

August 2003

Air traffic at Miami International Airport was steadily increasing, both in air freight and in passengers. As a result, the airport authority decided that a new runway was needed. In late 2000, Gilbert Southern Corp., a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, was awarded the North Runway project to increase the airport's capacity by 25%. This $115 million project included constructing an 8,600-ft.-long runway, two taxiways, drainage, demolition, utilities, electrical and communications work, and concrete and asphalt paving.

Completed in August 2003, the project was built in 66 different phases and routed through a series of existing warehouse taxiways to maintain access to active businesses. Quantities included 83,000 sq. yd. of concrete; 250,000 tons of asphalt; and more than 35,000 ft. of 18- to 66-in.-dia. drainage pipe. The electrical and communications system included over 40 mi. of duct banks and more than 3,600 taxiway lights.

Most of the existing pavement had to be removed. The asphalt paving was milled and transported off-site for recycling, while the concrete pavement was crushed and recycled on-site for construction aggregate. The removed concrete drainage structures and pipe were crushed as well.