8 RUNWAYS October 2026 AirportImprovement.com SAT There’s rarely an opportune time to shut down a runway, especially for busy commercial airports. But some closures are far more impactful than others. The recent need to temporarily close Runway 13R-31L at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) for pavement rehabilitation had potential to severely disrupt operations there and at two nearby U.S. military installations that train the next generation of soldiers, airmen and pilots. Facing intense time pressure to complete the improvements, SAT worked closely with project stakeholders to trim what could have been a six-month runway closure to less than eight weeks. The work budgeted at $25 million ended on March 5—one day early and nearly $2 million under budget. The airport’s top executive attributes those achievements in part to the FAA granting a rare approval for use of the construction manager at risk (CMAR) delivery method for an airfield project, which both streamlined and accelerated the work. Jesus Saenz Jr., director of airports for the city of San Antonio, says all involved recognized what was at stake for SAT to be without the 8,502-foot “workhorse” runway that typically handles up to 90% of its daily operations. Minimizing the project’s impact on nearby U.S. Air Force activities was also an imperative, he adds. “We judge success by aircraft taking off and aircraft landing,” Saenz says. “The second that stops, we’re not successful anymore. “Working collaboratively through CMAR, from the design element through the construction work, was really beneficial to us.” CMAR Process Minimizes Downtime for Runway Rehab at San Antonio Int’l FACTS&FIGURES Project: Runway Rehabilitation Location: San Antonio Int’l Airport, in TX Runway: 13R-31L Scope: Replaced nearly 180 concrete panels; added LED lighting & high-speed runway exits; improved airfield geometry, drainage & markings Key Benefits: Restore condition of individual panels as needed to extend interval before full reconstruction; minimize disruption to commercial & military operations Approx. Cost: $23 million Funding: $17 million in Airport Improvement Program grants; $6 million from airport Project Delivery Method: Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) CMAR Manager & Contractor: Austin Bridge & Road Architectural Designers: Kimley-Horn (Prime); Jacobs (Electrical); Maestas (Surveying); Foster CM Group (Construction) Safety Management System: Faith Group Project Timeline: Design began June 2024; onsite work Jan. 12- March 5, 2026 Commercial Carriers Affected: Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Alaska, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country, United, Viva, Volaris 2025 Passenger Volume: 10.74 million BY CHRIS JONES JESUS SAENZ JR.
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