The Calgary Airport Authority needed a new parallel runway to provide additional capacity and accommodate larger aircraft. Concurrently, the City of Calgary wished to replace the key arterial airport access by constructing a tunnel under the runway to expand its road network, improve traffic flow, and provide for a future light rail transit line to the terminal. Each project was a major design and construction effort; delivering both projects together increased the level of complexity. As the Prime Consultant, Associated Engineering and CH2M HILL worked closely with the Program Manager, AECOM and Hatch Mott MacDonald; the Calgary Airport Authority; Construction Manager, the City of Calgary; and the contractors to deliver both projects on time and on budget.
The longest of its kind in Canada, Calgary Airport’s parallel runway accommodates the largest Code F aircraft and the most demanding, Category IIIa runway landing system, which allows uninterrupted aircraft operations at visibility limits down to 200 metres. During construction, runway edge and runway centerline LED airfield lighting became available. The team substituted energy-efficient LED lights for the specified runway lighting, marking the first use of LED lights for a Category IIIa runway in North America.