BROWARD COUNTY, FL – The Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SEC-AAAE) has recognized the North Runway Rehabilitation Project at Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) as an outstanding aviation project.
The airport's $95 million runway reconstruction venture won the Chapter's 2020 Corporate Award for Commercial Airport Project of the Year – Airfields. The SEC-AAAE received 20 nominations for this year's slate of airport awards.
FLL's North Runway (10L-28R) underwent a significant 120-day rehabilitation from June 3 to September 30, 2019, and reopened to aircraft activity on October 1. The massive overhaul of the airport's oldest runway included replacing its 75-foot center portion with concrete to extend its life 30-plus years and repaving its shoulders with asphalt. Additionally, upgrades to electrical, drainage and signage systems were done during the project, as well as updating Federal Aviation Administration runway status lights. Other enhancements on the runway's adjacent taxiways began in March 2019 for completion a year later.
Portions of 10L-28R date back to 1943 when the U.S. Navy built it during World War II for the Fort Lauderdale Naval Training Base. The last significant runway improvements were completed in 2004, more than 15 years ago. During its four-month closure, all flights operated from the South Runway.
"This rehabilitation project was a tremendous undertaking and required multi-faceted orchestration to accomplish while maintaining full airport operations with a single runway," said Mark Gale, CEO/Aviation Director, Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD), FLL's operator.
"Despite weather challenges from a hurricane and summer thunderstorms, and other obstacles, we were able to relaunch the newly-built runway on time," Gale noted. "Congratulations to everyone involved in helping to complete this award-winning project."
The general contractor for the project was General Asphalt Co., and engineer of record, Kimley-Horn. During peak construction, the project employed approximately 150-200 workers.
Other noteworthy components of the reconstruction project included:
· A robust community outreach program to keep area residents, municipalities and the traveling public informed about the project's progress and impacts
· Unveiling of "In-Flight," a new public art mural painted on the jet blast deflector at the west approach end of the runway depicting the artist's vision of nature and flight.
Drone video of the runway's reconstruction can be viewed on the airport’s YouTube channel at FLLAirport.
About SEC-AAAE/AAAE
With more than 600 members, the Southeast Chapter is the largest chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world's largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE's 7,000 members represent some 875 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. For more information, visit aaae.org.
About Broward's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
The Aviation Department is a self-supporting department of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations and capital improvements. FLL is located in Greater Fort Lauderdale in the heart of Florida's Gold Coast. In 2019, the Airport served 36.7 million passengers with more than 380 departures a day and offered nonstop service to 84 U.S. cities and global connectivity to more than 66 international destinations in 33 countries. The Aviation Department also operates North Perry, a general aviation airport for private and charter aircraft operators. Call 954-359-6100 for more information. For updates on airport programs and services, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit fll.net.
DATE: May 8, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Meyer, Public Information Officer
Broward County Aviation Department
PHONE: 954-359-6116
EMAIL: gmeyer@broward.org