King Salmon Airport Main Runway Pavement Rehabilitation

Project Details: Knik reconstructed the King Salmon Main Airport Runway in the local Bristol Bay fishing town of King Salmon. As a full reconstruction, Knik had to utilize half-width runway phasing. The majority of the work was performed at night allowing regular air operations during the day. Despite the challenges and limited work areas, Knik safely reconstructed the King Salmon Runway 12-30 without impeding the busy air traffic during fishing season.

This was the first job Knik used their state-of-the-art Wirtgen grinder to complete the 152,000 square yards of foamed asphalt base course. Knik had a Wirtgen technician onsite during the operations to ensure the airport was getting the best possible base course before paving operations began. The main runway required the laydown of 45,000 tons of hot mix asphalt. Knik utilized echelon paving and intelligent compaction on this project.

The existing runway was constructed with Portland Cement pavement. It was removed and replaced with foam asphalt base course and hot mix asphalt. Instead of disposing of the demolished concrete, Knik collaborated with a local contractor who incorporated the material into a local sea wall mediation project.

Knik also improved airport lighting, re-grooved, and re-striped the main runway 12/30 at the King Salmon Airport.