When Denver International Airport (DIA) was on the drawing board, it had six runways planned to provide for a balanced airfield operation. When the first plane took off in 1995, there were just five runways. Budgetary constraints meant the ax for the sixth runway.

That sixth runway, however, was never forgotten. Dirt work — mostly scraping and embankment — has already taken place in two phases: once during the initial construction of the airfield in 1989 and again in 1995-96.

Now, a $21.5-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation means the dirt work can be completed. It is expected that the contract for this phase will be awarded in March. The fourth phase of the project will focus on construction of the runway.

The city of Denver is seeking funding for 75 percent of the total $155- to $160-million cost to complete the north-south runway, which will be 16,000 ft. (4,877 m) long and 200 ft. (61 m) wide to accommodate the new generation of jumbo jets. The other five runways at DIA are 12,000 ft. (3,658 m) long and 150 ft. (46 m) wide.

Once funding commitments are received and a construction contract is awarded for the paving and airfield lighting portion of the runway project, the runway should be ready for take-off in 2003.

Pete Stowkowski, senior engineer and project manager at DIA, said the two earlier dirt work phases were necessary to ensure that the deep fill area was completed soon enough to allow settlement in the area.

To date, 15 million cu. yd. (11.5 million cu m) of dirt — 8 million cu. yd. (6.1 million cu m) as embankment – has been moved at the runway site. The work has entailed two types of operations: scraper fill and truck fill.

Stowkowski said he expects the bid for the completion of the runway to go out in April with completion within the next two years. The runway will be topped with 17 in. (43 cm) of concrete under which will be eight inches (20 cm) of cement-treated base, 12 in. (30 cm) of lime-stabilized soil and five ft. (130 cm) of select material.

The runway has been designed for a 40-year life, much longer than at other airports, according to Stowkowski.

Coordinating construction and its effects on the overall operation of the airfield comes under close scrutiny..

Although the Operations Division at DIA is in charge, the Federal Aviation Administration becomes involved if instrument landing systems need to be shut down.

“That can only be done under certain conditions, such as when visual flight rules are in effect,” Stowkowski said.

Security is also an issue. All construction personnel must go through a security clearance, which includes fingerprinting, before being badged and allowed to work at DIA.

Today's top stories

Two Florida Developers Receive $392M in Financing to Build New Grand Hyatt Miami Beach

$407M I-10 Lifting Project Starts in Houston

U.S. 191 Mobridge Slide Repair Work Begins in Montana

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kicks Off Year Long Celebration of 250 Years of Service to Nation

Skanska Brings Engineering Muscle to Manage Bridge Jobs in Bay State

Volvo Construction Equipment Unveils New Lineup of Articulated Haulers

Innovative Excavation System Crushes Market Demand

VIDEO: Blue Diamond Attachments Introduces Heavy Duty Drum Mulcher for Skid Steers, CTLs