This project has been given final completion.

Work almost finished!

Pouring of new panels on Runway 13/31 finished last week. The photo below shows one of the last panels being poured.

The photo on the left is of a panel that was removed and replaced, and the photo on the right is of a newly poured panel.

This week, subcontractors fixed more minor issues like mud balls and small cracks. To repair the mud balls, contractors remove the lip that covers the hole created by the mud ball, clean the hole, and fill it. 

The photo on the left shows a mud ball at the beginning of the project, and the photo on the right shows one that has been marked for repair and filled.

Today, workers were on site sealing joints and minor cracks. Joints are the spaces created between panels to prevent cracking caused by expansion of the cement. The workers also filled small chips on the edges and corners of some panels.

The photo on the right shows, an unsealed joint with chips, and the photo on the left shows a sealed joints and chips.





These photos show cracks before and after sealing.

This project should be wrapped up soon, allowing the runway to reopen.

Runway 13/31 Work Continues

The airport is opened back up last week after work was completed along the taxiway and in the approach of 17/35. 

Last week, workers began demolishing and removing old panels on the taxiway and the north west end of Runway 13/31. The photos below show a truck hammering the panels to break up the concrete, which is then loosened and removed. 

Below, a panel on the taxiway is completely removed and steel rebar has been installed in preparation for pouring. Workers are in the process of pouring new panels on the taxiway and the north west end of the runway. 

Workers smoothing concrete on the north west portion of Runway 13/31

 After the more seriously damaged panels are removed and replaced and this phase of the project is completed, subcontractors will come in to seal joints and fix smaller issues like mudballs and minor cracks

Airport Closure - Due to Runway 13/31 Project

The Runway 13/31 Project will require the closure of the Storm Lake Airport for approximately one week starting on Thursday, July 9th.  Aircraft based at the Storm Lake Airport may want to consider moving their planes if they will need to fly during the closure.

The project engineer will work with the contractor to ensure the least disruption to the airport possible but weather and other factors may impact the proposed schedule.  We will try to keep the blog updated here with the latest information on the closure and when we can expect the airport to reopen.

A copy of the notice that was sent out to the based aircraft is shown below:

Engineer Information on Closure

Pouring Started on Runway 13/31

Construction crews began pouring panels on Runway 13/31 early last week. Pouring on the east side of the runway, south of the taxiway, is now finished, and workers have started removing panels on the west side of the runway. 

Steel rebar installed before pouring to add strength to the panels

In the photo above, concrete is being poured and compacted with a concrete vibrator. For this project, the vibrator is used once every square foot to increase the concrete's density and strength.

Concrete is leveled using a power screed, shown in the back of the photo above. The screed is connected to a motor which vibrates the concrete, increasing density and removing excess concrete. Concrete floats are used to smooth out the surface of the concrete after the screed. The photo above shows two hand floats and a bull float being used.

Above, samples of the concrete are being prepared. After 28 days, the samples will be put in a test chamber where they will be pressed on until they break. This will determine how much weight the new panels can hold and the weight limits for this runway.

Workers have now started removing panels on the south west side of the runway. Pouring on this part of the runway should start next week. After pouring is finished, subcontractors will begin repairing small cracks and mudballs on the runway.

Work is Started on Runway 13/31!

Work has started on the repairs to Storm Lake Runway 13/31.  This project involves panel replacement and crack and joint sealing activities.

Mudball and cracks on the runway

While cracks are the biggest issue on the runway, repairs will also be made to panels that have mudballs. Mudballs are created when concrete with balls of mud in the mixture is poured. Over time, the balls rise to the top of the concrete, freeze, thaw, and refreeze, and eventually break a hole through the top of the concrete. A subcontractor will come in to fix the mudballs. They will take out a small portion of the panel surrounding the mudball, square it off, and pour new concrete. Right now, crews are working on replacing entire panels.

   Panels all along the runway need replacement, as seen in the photo above. Currently, work is being done on the East half of the South end of the runway. Work is only being done on one side of the runway so trucks and construction vehicles can drive on the other half of the runway. There are several steps to replacing the panels, and some panels are farther along in the process than others.  

Old panels being broken up and removed from Runway

Contractor preparing subgrade for paving of panels on Runway

In some areas, workers have finished clearing the area of concrete, preparing the subgrade, and laying down a gravel sub base, and have started building forms for the new panels and installing rebar

Worker building forms for new panels

A worker drilling holes for steel rebar, which will connect existing panels to new ones and to add support to the Runway

Some of the rebar that will be put into the runway

Rebar that has been installed in the runway.

Pouring on panels in this portion of the runway should start tomorrow (Wednesday, June 23rd).
Runway 13/31 is closed to all air traffic, there are NOTAMS in place to notify pilots.  The project is approximately ten percent done and is expected to take approximately 10 weeks to complete.