North Runway News - February edition
North Runway News
Welcome to the North Runway News, our bi-monthly newsletter that provides information about what’s happening with our North Runway Program. Our February 2025 installment details how we’re finishing early works and gearing up for construction to officially commence this spring.
What we’ve been up to:
Crews are continuing early works in preparation for the main construction work, including the replacement of old runway light cans with newer models. This infrastructure is embedded into the runway and holds the electrical wiring and fixture.
During the project, nighttime construction will be a highly coordinated effort. To ensure the runway reopens by 7:00 a.m. each morning, YVR and contractors have been conducting trials to test equipment and improve processes. These full-scale exercises allow crews to refine their strategy to maximize productivity within the limited construction window each night.
Above: As part of the trials, crews tested the diamond grinding equipment and process. This pavement preservation technique is used to improve the smoothness, texture, and lifespan of concrete runways, like the North Runway.
Above: Crews inspect the effectiveness of the diamond griding tool.
Crews have also finalized the groundside construction area and are now looking to mobilize airside. The groundside laydown area will serve as a space for contractors to store, organize and stage materials each day in advance of the nighttime work. To connect the groundside and airside laydown areas, crews will be constructing a new temporary roadway to improve efficiency of operations each night.
At YVR, we recognize our responsibilities to Musqueam and the lands the airport resides on. On February 24, program team and contractors participated in the first Cultural Awareness Training session which was held in Musqueam Community. Participants experienced different areas of the community and toured the museum, where they viewed real belongings and learned of their cultural significance. Knowledge gained during the session will be applied to the work of the North Runway Program – and beyond.
Pictured above: Program team members and contractors participated in the first Cultural Awareness Training session, which was held in Musqueam Community.
What’s next:
With construction set to begin in April, crews are planning and preparing for the overnight work. To ensure nightly construction work and regular airport activities both occur efficiently, crews are refining maintenance and operational response plans to account for the construction work, to ensure operational resiliency through the lifecycle of the project.
Safety and security remain our top priorities.
YVR’s North Runway Program brings together a variety of contractors working on a complex project. To ensure the ongoing safety of our operations we are adapting airside safety orientation sessions specific to the hazards and controls for our contract partnership. Working collaboratively with leading companies in our community helps us ensure we protect the health, safety and security of not only workers, but also our flying public within our unique airport environment.
Enhancing the impact of our Contractor Safety Management Program (CSMP) remains a key part of our commitment to projects like these and many others. Increasing our testing controls such as preparedness exercises, drills, inspections, pre-shift meetings, and orientations to ensure that everyone remains diligent with our safety and security protocols.
Visit www.yvr.ca/northrunway for more information about the program.