b'46 STJ RUNWAYSFACTS&FIGURES Project: Runway Reconstruction Location: Rosecrans Regional Airport, in St. Joseph, MOSize: 8,100 ft. of 13 thick pavement (141,000 yd2)Cost: $29 millionProject Bid: Aug. 2022Construction: April 2023Nov. 2023 Runway Reconstruction Benefits Key Components: Runway reconstruction; widenedRosecrans Memorial perimeter road; rerouting service vehicle road BY KRISTEN RINDFLEISCHDesign Phase Services, ConstructionThe recent runway reconstructionBeyond the typical wear and tear Administration, Engineering: Woolpert Inc.General Contractor: Ideker Inc. at Rosecrans Memorial Airportduring the last 30 years since its most (STJ) in St. Joseph, MO,recent major reconstruction, the runway Geotechnical Testing & Investigation: KC Testing provides drastic improvements in safetyexperienced heavy use from two military Grant Administrator: MO Dept. of Transportation and operational capability for the shared- sources: local C-130s with the Air National Electrical Contractor: Reinhold Electric use airport. This $29 million projectaGuard based at STJ and aircraft from the Cement Supplier: Central Plains Cement Co. collaboration between the MissouriAdvanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, Equipment Rentals: Logan SupplyDepartment of Transportation, the 139thwhich brings in traffic from around the Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air Nationalworld, ranging from A400s to C-17s. Concrete Paving Equipment: Gomaco Corp. Guard and the airporthas modernized Machine Control Equipment: Leica GeoSystemsThe heavy aircraft the airfield, ensuring it can meet thecaused substantial Dowel Bars & Dowel Baskets: Dayton Superiordemands of both general aviation anddamage over the Concrete Saws: Husqvarna Construction Productsmilitary operations for years to come.years, especially Joint Sealant: D.S. BrownUpgrades to the 8,100-foot Runway 17-35when using reverse have not only improved its usability but alsothrust. There were Concrete Patching Material: SpecChem LLClengthened its lifespan.Trucking Services: Sutton Trucking essentially potholes The runway had undergone multiplein the runway fromJULIUS RICEMaterial Supply: Hilti Inc. rehabilitations since it was built in thethe C-130s, says Sand Supplier: Holliday Sand & Gravel1940s. After a flood in 1993, 8 inches ofSTJ Airport Manager Julius Rice. We Drilling Equipment: Minnich Manufacturingconcrete were added, separated by anwould go out and cold patch as best we Runway Material Recycling Machinery: asphalt barrier. Over time, rising watercould, but with their big four turboprop ROTO-MILL levels and heat caused the top layersfans blasting the runway when they go Edge Drains: N-12 pipe from ADS (Advanced Drainageto heave. To address this dangerousin reverse, those patches would just get Systems Inc.)issue, crews cut release joints to relieveblown away the next day.Sustainability Efforts: Rubblizing previous runwaypressure, but the runway continued toAround 2016, STJs main runway began material; reusing pulverized concrete for a base layerdeteriorate, with small rocks posing aexperiencing pavement heaves almost Key Benefits: Increased aircraft capacity; enhancedhazard to jet engines. safety; extended runway lifespan; improved infrastructure November | December 2024AirportImprovement.com'