Client: Chicago Department of Aviation

Location: Chicago, IL

Runway 10R-28L was the third new East-West runway to be built as part of CDA’s O’Hare Modernization Program. It is a 7,500 foot long, 150 foot wide, CAT II/III all-weather runway. An associated 75’ wide parallel runway was also created as part of this project, along with several acute-angled and connecting taxiways. The scope also included 35’ wide bituminous shoulders for the runway and taxiways and a pavement underdrain system, it required the use of 17” thick Portland cement concrete (PCC).

The Site Preparation work on this project included site demolition, followed by grading, drainage and 115,000 cubic yards of earthwork. More than 250,000 square yards of lime stabilization to 12” in depth was required in order for the ground to support the new structures.
Coordination with utility companies allowed for the safe removal, replacement and new installation of their facilities. Installation of utilities and erosion control devices included the construction of storm sewers and a four-way duct bank system. Nine manhole and catch basin structures with pipe runs from 18-54”, as well as more than 45,000 linear feet of underdrain with 137 inspection hole structures, were placed along the footprint for the new runway and taxiways.
The site preparation portion also included the construction of the Irving Park Road Retaining Wall, South Access Road and Perimeter Road as well as topsoiling, seeding and mulching the various areas adjacent to the roadways.
Paving, Lighting and Signing work required the use and installation of modern navigational aids (NAVAIDS) and Fiber Optics Transmission System (POTS) made this project challenging and included high-intensity runway edge and threshold lights, touchdown zone lights, runway centerline lights, taxiway LED centerline lights, medium intensity taxiway LED edge lights, and elevated in-pavement runway guard lights—as well as empty bases for runway entrance status lights.