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.