YVR News

Paving the Future: Inside YVR’s Overnight Runway Transformation

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:07:00 -0700

The work that we are undertaking to upgrade our North Runway is extremely complex. With just eight hours each night to complete the work, the clock is ticking to ensure every detail is perfectly orchestrated.

In the latest episode of our North Runway Program video series, you’ll see how our teams complete a segment of asphalt overlay overnight while keeping the airport operational. More than 100 people and pieces of equipment work together each shift, transforming the runway in a coordinated effort.

Hear from our prime contractor, Kiewit, along with Amrize and our Musqueam partners about how the work is being delivered safely each night. You’ll also learn about our performance pavement technology and how we are designing the runway to withstand B.C.’s climate now and in the future.

Stay tuned for more videos in the series as we continue this important work to support the safe, efficient movement of people and goods across our region. Be sure to visit the Major Projects page of our Newsroom to subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter and view other videos about how we’re delivering this important program: news.yvr.ca/north-runway-modernization-program.

A Closer Look: How YVR is upgrading its North Runway

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:49:00 -0700

The North Runway is a critical piece of YVR's infrastructure and supports nearly 400 aircraft movements a day. Now, 30 years after its original opening, it’s in need of upgrades to ensure its longevity and resilience for decades to come.

In this first episode of our North Runway video series, we take you behind the scenes of one of YVR’s major infrastructure projects. The video introduces our overall approach to the program, the complexities of working within an airport environment and what this all means to YVR and our community from the people who are delivery the work every day, including our Musqueam partners.

Watch the video to learn how early works have been delivered, what it takes to prepare for paving and construction on an active runway, and how we’re working to minimize impacts on the travelling public, neighbours, and operations.

Our North Runway Program goes beyond paving. It’s about investing in the long-term reliability of our operations, so we can keep connecting people and goods to where they need to go, for years to come.

Stay tuned for future videos in the series as we continue this important work to support the safe, efficient movement of people and goods across our region. Be sure to visit the Major Projects page of our Newsroom to subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter and view other videos about how we’re delivering this important program: news.yvr.ca/north-runway-modernization-program.

North Runway Modernization Program

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 10:17:00 -0800

YVR’s North Runway has returned to full service. Paving and major improvements work that took place from April 2025 through October 2025 is now complete, on time. Thank you to our airport community and contract partners for their support through this program.

Built in the 1990s, YVR's North Runway required upgrades to ensure the longevity and resilience of this critical piece of airport infrastructure.

The North Runway Program included:

A complete asphalt overlay of the runway and connecting taxiways
Drainage improvements
Electrical improvements
New LED lighting along the runway edge

This unique program saw YVR upgrade the runway during the nightly closure period, while it remained fully operational during the day.

Paving and major improvements work under the North Runway Program are complete.

Watch our video series to learn more about how we delivered the upgrades to our North Runway and why these upgrades are important for our community and the economy that supports it below.

Visit www.yvr.ca/northrunway for more information about the program.

North Runway Modernization Program launches spring 2025

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:49:46 -0700

Musqueam Territory/Richmond, B.C. (October 25, 2024): Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is moving ahead with a modernization program to refurbish its North Runway.

Originally opened in 1996, the North Runway will receive a series of upgrades to enhance operational resiliency. Work is set to begin in spring 2025 and be completed by fall. Construction will be carried out during the existing nightly closure of the North Runway, which runs from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. Therefore, YVR is not anticipating any impact to flight schedules or passengers as the work is carried out.

At an estimated overall cost of $133 million, the program includes a complete asphalt overlay of the North Runway and connecting taxiways with supporting works to upgrade drainage systems as well as electrical and lighting equipment.

YVR has selected Kiewit to deliver paving and construction services, and Tristar Electric to deliver lighting and electrical works. DeltaTec, a Musqueam-owned and -operated business, was selected as a subcontractor to Tristar.

”This program includes important and necessary work for the long-term resilience of our North Runway, which serves millions of travellers and businesses each year. We are pleased to be working with Kiewit, Tristar and their subcontractors to carry out the program safely and on time,” said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO at Vancouver International Airport.

The program will generate an additional 100,000 person hours of work during construction, resulting in new jobs and economic value for the region.

"Kiewit, along with Lafarge Canada, is excited to have been selected by YVR to provide construction services for its North Runway Program," said Ryan Tones, Senior Vice President at Peter Kiewit Sons ULC. "Our collective long histories of building important infrastructure projects across British Columbia, in addition to our long histories of successful projects at YVR and airports across North America, will serve us well. We look forward to bringing our highly skilled staff and craft workforce and wide network of local suppliers and partners to help ensure we safely deliver this crucial project in the region.”

Please visit yvr.ca/northrunway for more information about the North Runway Program and to sign up to receive regular updates as work progresses.

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