North Runway News - June 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.
New in this edition, a new milestone! We completed the first full pass of both levelling and paving, meaning crews laid the first layer of asphalt along the entire length of the runway. The North Runway spans more than 3,000 metres (9,941 feet) and approximately 20,000m3 of asphalt was used for this first pass, representing a significant achievement for the program.
Having completed both levelling and paving, we will conduct two more full passes, while advancing drainage and electrical upgrades. This paving and upgrades work will enhance the operational resiliency of our dual runway system. Work is carried out during the existing nightly closure of the North Runway, which runs from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
Fun fact: if you’re travelling through the airport on an international or U.S. bound flight, once you pass security screening, you will be able to see the new asphalt covering the runway from any north-facing window.
Read on for more detailed information about our progress.
What we’ve been up to:
Earlier this month, crews completed the first full passes of the runway. Working in increments of approximately 150 metres each night, crews made their way down the entire runway, paving the more than 3,000 metre (9,941 feet) length with approximately 20,000m3 of asphalt. Crews also paved adjoining taxiways and levelled some areas to ensure a smooth surface.
The North Runway is as wide as an 18-lane highway, requiring a highly coordinated effort across all aspects of our program.
To manage work each night, we lead a comprehensive plan that considers emerging challenges. This plan was put to the test in May when, due to an unforeseen equipment issue with our asphalt supplier, overnight paving work was unable to be completed in time to allow the North Runway to open in the morning. Through close collaboration and with rigorous plans in place, our teams worked with contractors to solve the challenge, which included securing a secondary asphalt supplier, and safely re-opening the runway the next morning, on time.
Image caption: An aerial image showing the asphalt along the runway during the daytime.
Image caption: Crews work at night to pave the runway.
In parallel with paving, crews have started upgrades to the electrical systems and runway drainage network. This includes removing and reinstalling runway lights to support the paving operation as well as installing new signage and raising utility access points. For drainage work, crews will dig next to the shoulder of the runway to replace equipment and ensure the continued efficient removal of groundwater and resiliency of our airport infrastructure.
As part of our work with Musqueam, archaeological spot checks are taking place when ground disturbing activity is anticipated during construction in adherence with protocols in place to safeguard Musqueam’s cultural heritage.
Image caption: Crews work to repair sub-drainage infrastructure.
Safety and security remain our top priorities. Each night at the end of construction, crews perform a Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walk. Walking side by side, crews walk the runway from one end to the other to ensure no construction materials are left behind prior to re-opening the runway for operations.
What’s next:
Crews will now turn their attention to completing the second layer of asphalt on the runway, which is scheduled for completion in early August.
Visit www.yvr.ca/northrunway for more information about the program.