Wellington International Airport Ltd's (WIAL) unique runway position created a challenging construction site for a new 90m long Runway End Safety Area (RESA). Beca was engaged by WIAL to undertake the design and construction monitoring for the RESA at the southern end of the airport.
The project was completed in 2007 – well before regulatory requirements that will mandate RESAs at all New Zealand international airports by July 2011.
The 18-month construction period was planned in detail to enable runway operational capabilities to be maintained for 19 hours per day, seven days a week, as well as allowing for emergency or unscheduled flights to land. This presented considerable safety and operational constraints, along with the typical challenges the project faced due to exposure to Wellington's renowned harsh weather.
Beca, along with constructors Brian Perry Civil, relocated the sensitive navigation aid Instrument Landing System as part of the RESA construction. In addition, the lowering of Moa Point Road meant the project also had to consider and cater for a number of buried services. This key link road was transformed into a 180m long traffic underpass in order to ensure an obstacle-free flight path for incoming planes.
Awards