Köln/Bonn
Cologne/Bonn Airport
Köln, Germany / 2018
Cologne/Bonn Airport is one of the key aviation hubs in North Rhine-Westphalia. In order to maintain the existing infrastructure, sections of the main runway were resurfaced. A joint venture, including the PORR Münster/Dortmund branch, was commissioned to carry out the work. The work was carried out whilst the airport remained open and was divided into several time slots.
Facts & Figures
Company
PORR Verkehrswegebau GmbH
Type
Airport construction
Runtime
2018
Rehabilitation of the main runway
Work carried out in weekend phases
Over a total of 23 weekends, the airfields were worked on in sections. The work took place between Saturday lunchtime and Sunday evening on each occasion. As part of the project, sections of the runway were milled, around 12,200 m of empty conduits were laid as well as approximately 10,000 m² of cracks were repaired. Once the work was completed, the areas were resealed, ensuring the runway remained available for flight operations.
Renewal of the asphalt surfaces
The main focus of the project was on the rehabilitation of around 230,000 m² of binder and surface courses in the runway area. Four pavers, four feeders and twelve rollers, amongst other equipment, were used to lay the binder course. Up to eight pavers, six feeders and 32 rollers were deployed for the installation of the surface course. In addition, numerous asphalt transports were required between the asphalt mixing plants and the airport site during the construction weekends.
Work on the technical infrastructure
In addition to the asphalt works, parts of the runway’s technical infrastructure were as well renewed. As part of the project, 63 cable ducts as well as 21 foundations for the runway signage were constructed. Existing ducts in the green areas were also adapted. Furthermore, work was carried out on the runway and taxiway lighting. A total of 2,864 lights were installed.
Implementation by several specialist departments
In addition to the Münster/Dortmund branch, other PORR units were involved in the project. These included the Düren, Berlin, Eisenhüttenstadt and Osnabrück branches, as well as the company’s own building materials laboratory and CMG Baulogistik. The various services were co-ordinated and integrated into the individual construction phases.
Construction work whilst the airport remained operational
The work at Cologne/Bonn Airport combines asphalt laying, pipework installation and technical infrastructure measures within a highly busy transport hub. In addition to the rehabilitation of the runway, the project focused in particular on carrying out the work in sections during weekend closures, as well as on the coordination of numerous trades and construction phases.