Will Rogers World Airport Airfield Pavement Capital Improvement Program

Located roughly six miles southwest of Oklahoma City, the Will Rogers World Airport is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. To efficiently and cost effectively maintain its airfield pavements, the Oklahoma City Airport Trust hired Lochner to evaluate the airport’s entire airfield and develop a capital improvement program that would prioritize pavement needs.

Lochner began by collecting data on the airport’s pavement inventory and analyzing pavement type and thickness, current and projected pavement condition, pavement classification number, and allowable load capacity. The analysis was performed in coordination with all applicable FAA Advisory Circulars and ASTM standards. Additionally, Lochner oversaw destructive/non-destructive testing. The information gathered was then used to identify options for pavement strengthening, rehabilitation, and maintenance. These recommendations comprised the airport’s capital improvement program.

When recommending capital improvements, it was critical to minimize disruptions to the airport’s commercial aviation activity, which includes Southwest, American, and United Airlines. Additionally, uninterrupted access throughout the project was required by the U.S. Marshall, OANG, and Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, which have dedicated facilities at the airport. Lochner’s approach maintained access by organizing improvements into multiple phases. This approach allowed the airport to keep at least two of the three runways open at all times.

After the capital improvement program was adopted, Lochner provided construction cost estimates and project budgets. Lochner also assisted the airport with bidding and awarding the project. Prior to this project, Lochner worked with Will Rogers World Airport under a general engineering consultant services contract to rehabilitate all airside asphalt pavement at the airport. Services included a visual pavement evaluation, engineering design report, and design.