Why does it take 4 months to fix a runway?

[Kharma Police]

why does it take 4 months to replace a runway at JFK while it only took a month to replace one in ATL? I know the JFK runway is considerably longer, maybe a civil engineer could enlighten us on the reasons for the extended time frame?

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Because the mafia contractors said so!

 

[SuperFLUF]

Union vs. non-union probably has a lot to do with it.

 

[densoo]

It can be done in three weeks if you really want to...

"In just 20 days, construction crews laid 100,000 tons of asphalt, the equivalent of 2 miles of I-5...."
http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/NewsCenter/DOTcast/KCIA/101106_runwayremodel.aspx

 

[landlover]

Because the mafia contractors said so!

bingo!

 

[Mike man]

I'm sure the first three months are a no show job for several contractors

 

[HAL]

It can be done in three weeks if you really want to...

The pouring of concrete took three weeks, but the whole runway project at SEA took just over four months - the same as JFK.

At ATL they just put down a new layer of asphalt which can be done fairly quickly. Both JFK and SEA projects involved taking it all away down to the dirt and starting fresh. But the results at SEA were worth the wait with the new runway very, very smooth. Hopefully it will be the same at JFK so they'll remove the 'pogo-sitck' effects at the beginning of 31L.

HAL

 

[wms]

Maybe the same "slept-at-holiday inn express last night" pax that try to tell flight crews how to do their jobs could give the Port some advice.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

First, they need to take of 36 inches of asphalt etc. Then they are planning on shoring up the bed of the runway so there is less migration of the controlled surface, then they are going to put down no less than five layers of asphalt and concrete. 13K feet of runway, in the spring time in NYC. That sounds about right given that JFK does not have the weather of ATL.

 

[Hair-on-Fire]

Maybe the same "slept-at-holiday inn express last night" pax that try to tell flight crews how to do their jobs could give the Port some advice.

Like the know-it-all pilots on FlightInfo are doing on this thread?

 

[Dornier 335]

Don't forget about the all-important paperwork the FAA loves so much ...

 

[BoilerUP]

why does it take 4 months to replace a runway at JFK while it only took a month to replace one in ATL?

14/32 @ SHV took nearly 6 months...just reopened a few weeks ago.

 

[Hugh Johnson]

The big new airbus. 380?

 

[Captain X]

They have to bust up the entire thing to gain access to the fetzer valves placed at 500' intervals. Then after they roll the substrate they have to put a thin sheath of gauze and cure it with 10-in-1 oil before pouring another layer of concrete on top and vibrating it.

 

[densoo]

The pouring of concrete took three weeks, but the whole runway project at SEA took just over four months - the same as JFK.

I am corrected. There is one that was done in 10 days about 20 years ago. Long article in all the coordination required. I'll keep looking.

 

[Headfake14]

10 days!? I find that hard to believe.

JFK is also re-designing some taxiways..adding one or two high-speed turn offs.

 

[DairyAir]

Actually the ATL runway 26L/8R was completely dug out and replaced not just a little asphalt and while the contractors finished the job ahead of schedule it a lot longer than a month.

 

[aircowboy]

The Chinese build an entire International Airport in 4 months!

 

[BoilerUP]

The Chinese build an entire International Airport in 4 months!

Of course, the asphalt and concrete wouldn't meet US code, the workmanship shoddy, and every drop of paint would be full of lead...

 

[Little_Bill]

What about ball bearings?!?! It's all ball bearings these days.

Maybe you need a refresher course.