b'44 Reagan National RebuildsDCARUNWAYSBusiest Runway in the U.S.BY MIKE SCHWANZAll major runway projects areBut the airports heavy stream of trafficsubgrade borings to characterize challenging undertakings. Thatseventually took its toll. The planes keptmaterials beneath the asphalt. RDM a given. Some, however, are in agetting bigger and heavier, and thisInternational also assessed the condition league of their own.latest top-surfaceof electrical conduits and cables. By The recent $110 million reconstructionreplacement justDecember 2021, we knew we had of Runway 1-19 at Ronald Reaganwas not doing theto replace centerline lights. And for Washington National Airport (DCA) is ajob, explains Priyampavement replacement, we developed great example. As the primary runwayShah, Constructiondetailed options to redo either 3 inches, at the airport closest to the U.S. capital,Department manager8 inches or 16 inches of the pavement 1-19 happens to be the busiest infor the Metropolitansurface, Shah relates.the nation, averaging 820 arrivals andWashington AirportsPRIYAM SHAH From January to May 2022, CMT departures a day. Compounding theAuthority (MWAA). Itengineers developed detailed logistics complexity, its 7,169 feet long and morewas obvious that a major reconstructionfor each of the three alternatives, and than 80 years old.would be needed.presented them to MWAA and the airlines. Despite regular resurfacing performedTo explore its various options, MWAAConsensus was reached that eight inches as needed throughout the years, Runwayturned to Crawford, Murphy & Tillyof existing pavement would be removed 1-19 and DCAs secondary strip (15-33)(CMT), an engineering consultant thatusing a deep milling process, and a mobile needed deeper rehabilitation to providehas completed many projects at DCAbatch plant would need to be built on the a pavement structure that could supportover the years. Its team began the designairfield to control the quality and production future traffic for 20 or more years. Theprocess in July 2021 with backgroundrates of the new asphalt pavement.most recent renovation of 1-19 hadgeotechnical work and an evaluation ofThe airport also made two major occurred in 2011, when the airportthe electrical systems.requests: no daytime runway closures, replaced up to 3 inches of the top asphaltSubconsultant RDM International cutand project completion within two surface and improved the centerline lightscores into the pavement to measureconstruction seasons. All parties agreed and edge lights. deterioration at different depths, andthat paving work would shut down during subconsultant E2CR completed deeperthe winter months (basically November to July | August 2025AirportImprovement.com'