Sky Harbor’s New Taxiway – Under Construction!

As Aviation Department Civil Engineer Mari Sullivan describes it, “This project is not only putting people to work, but its design solution and methods of construction are extremely responsible, very green and sustainable.”

Sullivan is talking about Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Taxiway C construction project which is currently underway.

The first phase of the Taxiway C project is being funded by federal stimulus money. At 2200 linear feet of 75 feet wide center pavement, the new taxiway will also include 35 foot wide (minimum) safety shoulders on both sides of the new pavement. The area previously was used by general aviation aircraft and airport operations vehicles. This project will change the area into a Group 5 Category taxiway meaning it will be able to handle aircraft as large as a Boeing 747 or an Airbus 340. The new taxiway will run from the existing C-3 taxiway connector to the existing C-4 taxiway connector, giving pilots a quicker and easier option for getting to and from Sky Harbor’s north runway.

Edge lighting, centerline conduit, drainage, grading and other modifications to comply with FAA design standards are also being implemented in this phase of the project.

Upon completion, Taxiway C – or Taxiway “Charlie” – will be 20 inches thick Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) on a structural support subgrade.

“Among other things, we are showing our environmental stewardship by utilizing millings from the existing asphalt and integrating them into the structural subgrade for the new taxiway,” says Sullivan. Workers have been busy pulling up the old asphalt, milling it, and stockpiling these millings near the work site to later be incorporated into the structural subgrade.

“That helps us minimize waste. We are looking at all the opportunities to recycle what would have otherwise been disgarded into a landfill. Stockpiling this material at the worksite itself also helps to minimize the exhaust air-discharge by practically eliminating extended hauling needs.”

In addition to utilizing the recycled millings, some of the Portland Cement used for the taxiway will be replaced with Fly Ash. Fly Ash is a waste by-product of coal combustion and otherwise unusable.

The second phase of the project will begin at the end of August and is being funded by an FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant. This part of the project consists of installing a new C-4 taxiway connector and changing out airfield signage for the entire length of Taxiway C.

According to Sullivan, “This whole project will generate very little waste. Even soil material which is being removed is being stockpiled for future project use.”

Both phases will be completed simultaneously at the end of February 2010.

Watch Mayor Gordon as he speaks about the new taxiway project at Sky Harbor in this press conference video.