19
AirportImprovement.com      October 2026
RUNWAYS 
VNY
The experience reinforced the importance of bringing 
detailed construction sequencing into the design process, 
and recognizing that different trades cannot necessarily work 
simultaneously in a constrained airfield environment. It also 
underscored the need for Airport Operations, tenants, FAA and 
air traffic control personnel to be part of the planning process 
from the beginning.
The control tower was a critical component of coordination 
throughout construction. With runway configurations changing 
and aircraft traffic being funneled through fewer access points, 
the project team worked closely with air traffic controllers to 
make the temporary operating conditions work. Moreno says 
the controllers really stepped up during scheduling decisions 
and played an important role in making the closures possible. 
Measures of Success
The accomplishment at VNY wasn’t simply reconstructing 11 
taxiways. It was also minimizing operational disruptions for the 
high-traffic general aviation airport while completing the major 
airfield work. 
The project team points to the schedule, budget, safety 
record and stakeholder response as measures of success. 
For Lazarevic, the experience reinforced the importance of 
collaboration. “Partnering goes on the top of the list,” he 
stresses. “Partnering with contractors, partnering with all 
stakeholders, partnering with Van Nuys Operations, plus 
transparent communication that keeps everybody in the loop.” 
For Leung, the most important measure was safety: 
“Making it through the project, having a safe execution—that’s 
something I’m definitely really proud of.”
The impressive combination of engineering, operations and 
logistics is what makes the project memorable for Chavez. 
Looking back, he marvels at the large work scope and 
what it took to minimize the impact to airfield traffic during 
construction. “And then to come out on the back end pretty 
unscathed,” he muses. “It’s a cool project to talk about, 
especially when somebody understands the implications all of it 
had. You can see it in their eyes, like, ‘Oh my gosh, really? You 
did that?’.” 
Daktronics LED video display technology provides a reliable canvas for airports that focus on 
the traveler. With the effective use of indoor and outdoor installations, airports can do more 
than move travelers from point A to point B.
DIGITAL LED VIDEO DISPLAYS
DAKTRONICS.COM/AIRPORTS
SEE THE DENVER INTERNATIONAL 
AIRPORT DISPLAYS IN ACTION.
IMPROVE THE TRAVELER EXPERIENCE
OPTIMIZE OPERATIONS
CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.