Logan International Airport Project: Secure Site Leads to Successful Paving

This article describes some of the challenges that paving crews and airport officials faced during the construction of Runway 14-32 at Logan International Airport in Boston. Construction of the new runway was critical to the airport's ability to reduce delays. Because of strong Northwest wind conditions, runway availability was frequently affected, resulting in delayed arrivals and departures. The runway construction required an FAA specified P401 modified pavement mix of 172,000 tons. The mix contained lime and latex, resulting in a much stiffer mix which in turn required the use of vibratory rollers in order to achieve the appropriate level of density. Additional challenges were faced as a result of the new runway and taxiways crossing existing runways and taxiways. This required some amount of night paving, which in turn meant closures as well as reconfiguring take offs and landings. The article concludes by noting that the new runway has been successful in giving Logan Airport added flexibility in better accommodating smaller airplanes during Northwest wind conditions.