On Wednesday, May 24, work was completed on the regeneration of pavement of runway 18L-36R and its associated taxiways at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. In 2016, these projects, along with the elimination of that runway’s obstacles, were awarded to Ferrovial Agroman for more than 10 million Euros.
About the runway renovation
This is the first time that Ferrovial Agroman has faced such a challenge, since it has worked on the runway in a record time of 24 continuous hours for five consecutive days, regenerating 70,000 tonnes of flexible pavement. To this end, 11 milling machines, 4 asphalt chipboard plants (two of them installed by the Machinery Service inside the Airport), 10 asphalt pavers and more than 130 trucks have been installed.
In addition, the project includes 240 kilometres of primary beaconing cable, 21 kilometres of secondary cable and 2,000 beacons. The condition of the runway strips has also been improved and more than 2,000 made suitable, such as manholes, signage, underground galleries, etc.
“In all phases of this project, including the study phase, the in-depth knowledge that all the teams involved have of the work environment, and the resources and capacities necessary to undertake it, taking into account the existing operational restrictions, has been especially important” noted Juan Manuel Sánchez, Director of Madrid Civil Works, Castilla-La Mancha Civil Works and Portugal.
Runway 18L-36R is 3,500 meters long and 60 meters wide and began operations in 2006. Aena carried out this operation before the end of the infrastructure’s useful life and in anticipation of situations that could compromise the airport’s operational capacity. Work on the runway for operational capacity was planned previously and coordinated with the operators and with Enaire, the air navigation service provider, to make it possible and not affect the Airport’s normal operation.
Find out more about the regeneration of pavement of runway
“When a paving project is carried out, weather variables such as rain and temperatures are taken into account,” said Ricardo García de la Calera, head of the project. “In this project there was one more variable and that was critical: the South wind, since with this wind, planes had to land on the runway where we were performing the work. For this reason, planning had to be adjusted extensively in order to execute the works in a time-sensitive window without southerly wind and with the constantly present risk of aborting the projects and putting the runway in service in the middle of the project’s execution.
After several attempts and last minute cancellations, the works began on Friday, May 19 at 5:00 p.m. and ended on Wednesday, May 24, at 11:00 AM, at which time the runway and associated taxiways were opened to traffic.
“The success of the project execution was based on an exhaustive planning of the works and the demonstrated flexibility facing the many setbacks that have arisen during their execution” notes Maximiliano Eisenberg, Head of Works. “Special mention goes to the Ferrovial Agroman team involved in the projects due to their high degree of commitment and professionalism.
At the same time, the execution of a new contract that includes operations on the airport’s security perimeter has begun.
Other projects at Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport
To this point, Ferrovial Agroman has developed multiple projects at Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport. The T4 Terminal, the South Barajas Platform, the Regeneration of the 14R-32L Runway, the I8 taxiway, the extension of the P2 car park, the renovation of taxi stands and standardisation of traffic flow, installation of security fencing, offices, sheds, travel tunnels, reception and luggage rooms, underground car parks for air cargo, air cargo centre development, aircraft parking platforms, renovation of commercial areas, and extension of terminals, among other operations, are noteworthy.
