Hayward Baker performed important pre-construction soil stabilization as part of the project.
The Florida Department of Transportation has named the Marco Island Executive Airport Parallel Taxiway and Northwest Apron Expansion Project the winner of the 2012 General Aviation Airport Project of the Year Award.
The award was announced in a ceremony held on July 24, 2012 at the Florida Airports Council’s Annual Conference & Expo. The conference attracted nearly 700 participants including representatives from each of Florida’s commercial service airports, many of the state’s publicly owned or operated general aviation airports, plus more than 130 aviation-related businesses.
Hayward Baker, North America’s leader in geotechnical construction, performed extensive ground modification work for the Marco Island project, which consisted of constructing a new taxiway and apron. This included employing mass mixing stabilization techniques to meet the challenge of preparing the soil for construction.
The subsurface soil profile included a layer of peat and organic silt extending to a maximum depth of 20 feet below the existing ground surface, which, if left untreated, would have resulted in excessive settlement.
Conventional soil replacement and deep foundation solutions were considered, but ultimately rejected due to the significant technical challenges and high costs associated with these options in regard to this particular project. Instead, Hayward Baker improved the existing subgrade soils by means of mass mixing stabilization – the mechanical blending of the in situ soils with dry, cementitious materials.
Employing the mass stabilization technique, the binder reacted with the natural groundwater within the peat layer, hardening to form a stable mass with increased shear strength and decreased compressibility – suitable for support of the taxiway and apron.
The scope of Hayward Baker’s work on the Marco Airport Island project included pre-construction testing, design and value engineering analysis, mass stabilization and subsequent soil testing. Hayward Baker’s work was completed within five months, during which time various areas were released for apron and taxiway construction as stabilization was completed.
According to Robert J. Tweedie, Jr., manager of the Collier County Airport Authority, the FDOT’s Aviation Office selects Airport Project of the Year award winners based on the significant contribution the projects make to airport development, sustainability, efficiency, capacity and/or safety. In addition, all winners are projects funded under the FDOT’s Aviation Grants Program.
Commenting on the Marco Island award, Tweedie said, “We’re extremely proud and honored to have received this very prestigious award on behalf of all who served on the project team. Words cannot express my personal level of gratitude and appreciation for having the opportunity to work with this team of dedicated and talented professionals in accomplishing this great success.”
Jim Hussin, a director at Hayward Baker, expressed satisfaction for the recognition given to the Marco Island Executive Airport project. “We appreciate the FDOT selecting this project for an award. Of all the services we offer, mass mixing stabilization was ideally suited for the Marco Island project, resulting in the required soil improvement along with significant cost savings.”
About FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation)
Formed in 1969, the Florida Department of Transportation [www.dot.state.fl.us] is charged with the establishment, maintenance and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida. FDOT is made up of eight semi-autonomous geographic districts plus the Florida Turnpike Enterprise. In addition to maintaining the state’s roads, bridges, railways and aviation facilities, FDOT is responsible for emergency management and repairs due to catastrophic traffic accidents and major weather events that affect the quality and safety of public transportation in the state.
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The Marco Island Executive Airport Parallel Taxiway & Northwest Apron Expansion Project was named the General Aviation Project of the Year for 2012 by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Click here to see a larger version of this photo.
The Marco Island Executive Airport Parallel Taxiway & Northwest Apron Expansion Project required extensive pre-construction ground modification activities. Hayward Baker employed mass mixing stabilization techniques that met all performance requirements while optimizing cost efficiencies.