Nashville International shuts down runway for rehab

08/05/2009

By Candy McCampbell

Nashville International Airport has shut down one of four runways for  its $24 million demolition and reconstruction over the next year by The Harper Co. of Hebron, Ky.

Runway 2L-20R was closed Aug. 3 so Harper could start demolishing the 7,703-ft runway, rubblizing the concrete, asphalt milling and pavement removal. The existing concrete will be re-used as a base for the new runway and some of the asphalt also will be re-used.

The runway is 150 ft wide and will be paved with grooved concrete. Its shoulders will be widened from 15 ft to 35 ft and be paved with asphalt.

Other work includes drainage, grading, electrical and pavement marking. About 300 workers will be on the job.

Runway 2L-20R, a primary runway that handles most of the cargo traffic, crosses the airport’s longest runway, 13-31, but will not affect air traffic there because 31-31 underwent concrete repair and replacement last year.

In another project, Nashville-based Hardaway Construction Co. will start work the end of this month on the $20 million second phase of the airport’s passenger terminal and concourse renovation.

Hardaway’s terminal work includes construction of new restrooms and renovating the existing ones; replacing carpeting and tile in the terminal and concourses; replacing the existing HVAC units; replacing wall coverings on all three terminal levels; and renovating the baggage claim area.

Some of the restrooms will be closed during the work and some of the work will be done after hours, says Emily Richard, airport spokeswoman.

It also includes enlarging the ticket lobby, regaining the 11 ft area where luggage screening machines were installed behind ticket counters after 9/11. Those machines are being replaced as part of the airport’s new $34.5 million in-line explosive detection screening and baggage handling system now being installed.

The terminal renovation will create 125 jobs and is scheduled for completion in March 2011.

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