Alpha Bravo Taxiway Rehabilitation – 2023-2024
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Sector: Aviation
Location: Manchester Airport Group (MAG)
Client: Manchester Airport (MAN)
Value: £2,800,000
Duration: January-February 2024 (4 weeks)
Scope:
Removal and reinstatement of Airfield Ground Lights (AGLs).
Replacement of Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) bays.
Asphalt inlay & overlay, including installation of reinforcement mesh.
Removal & reinstatement of line markings 1,500M2.
Increases to drainage levels.
Earthworks re-grade to ensure compliance with airfield design standards.
Summary: Through our regular joint inspections at MAN, we identified a number of issues with the pavement at Alpha Bravo junction. Situated on the Main Runway, this junction is key to airfield operations, as the vast majority of aircraft landing on the Main Runway use Alpha Bravo to taxi off. We identified the deterioration of the pavement to the client, and advised that an increased frequency of repairs had been required, in order to maintain operational availability.
Following a series of review meetings, all parties agreed that a timely solution was required. Our team were asked to provide pre-construction support over a 4-month period (October-January), with a focus on optimising the scope, design and delivery strategy, whilst ensuring readiness to commence construction at the beginning of February 2024. The client’s key project drivers included: affordability, deliverability, and programme - with a strong drive to complete the works before the busy period Easter.
During the 4-month pre-construction period, we worked closely with MAG and the designer to develop the scheme. Key activities included:
Organising a number of additional surveys, and engaging with airfield utility owners, to ensure a full understanding of buried services and site conditions.
Optimising the design, with a focus on delivering a robust engineering solution, whilst remaining within MAG’s programme and budget requirements.
Engaging the relevant stakeholder groups – including the Security, Planning, Operations, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) teams.
Due to the highly effective collaboration between all parties, we were able to deliver the construction phase in just 4 weeks, via a full closure of the taxiway. We used a combination of day and night shifts (24/7 working), in order to deliver the intensive construction programme. Day-shifts were predominantly focussed on civils, and nights predominantly focussed on surfacing.
To maintain safety within a live operational environment, we established cones, signage and barriers to ensure effective segregation of the closed works area, and MAG also arranged for red stop-bars to be illuminated where appropriate. We monitored and maintained these provisions, and ensured the client’s Aerodrome Duty Managers (AODMs) remained satisfied.
The management of the quantities of asphalt required for the surfacing works was another key driver. To avoid pressure and back-logs on access points, we arranged for asphalt delivery vehicles to line up at a designated landside holding area (Jetparks Ringway). This provided an opportunity for Security to carry out checks, and for our team to advise Drivers on their airside routes and destinations. All vehicles were lined up in an orderly queue, which enabled a safe and smooth progression through the entry point. In addition, the client’s Security team facilitated access through local crash gates, as opposed to the main Security Gate (the typical arrangement). This significantly reduced the time taken for plant and vehicles to travel to the works area. It also negated the need to transport large volumes of material across taxiways, helping to further reduce FOD risk.
The ECI-style approach on this project proved highly beneficial. By scoping and planning the project as “one team”, we were able to effectively mitigate safety issues, operational disruption, and delivery risks. We delivered the project to programme and budget, with an excellent safety record, and the lowest practicable disruption to airfield operations. The client organised a re-opening event in March 2024, to celebrate the team’s success.
“Allied and MAG worked collaboratively from the s tart of the scheme. [They] have been involved with design discussions to ensure that we are getting the best possible engineering solution, and also ensuring that the focus remained on deliverability, delivering in a safe way, and ensuring that live airfield operations aren’t impacted. Allied worked with us to develop and deliver a challenging and complex scheme to the highest of standards.” Olivia Hughes - Asset Lifecycle Manager for Civils & Structures, MAG. |
