The Guernsey Pavements Rehabilitation Project scope effectively involved reconstruction / rehabilitation of all airside infrastructures, including runway, taxiways, aprons and installation of new airfield ground lighting and navigation aids.
A key driver for the project was the provision of compliant RESAs and correction of non-compliant gradients on the runway and aprons. In addition a complete new drainage system was installed including pollution control, interceptors, attenuation tanks and two directionally drilled runway crossings. Given the very restrictive road sizes in Guernsey a significant challenge was the logistics given that 250,000 tonnes of aggregate and 2000 deliveries of materials and plant were transported from the port to site.
The project was delivered under the Employer’s budget, ahead of schedule and with no unplanned impacts upon Airport Operations. Lagan spent significant time and effort to ensure that such a major project had minimal impact upon the lives of those affected. The night working, management of the workforce and large-scale logistics were the main areas where the local population had concerns. To manage these Lagan set up a complaints line which was manned 24 hours per day and ensured that any concerns raised were dealt with fairly and promptly. This evident from some of the comments from the local population which included praise for our professionalism, the charity works undertaken and for being a good neighbour.
The bid submission by Lagan Specialist Contracting Group contained many innovations including building a temporary dock for aggregate importation, alternate designs, alternate products and working methodologies. These innovations resulted in a capital saving of some £3 million and reduced the programme by 9 months. Ultimately it was the strength of our innovations which secured the contract and this process continued throughout the project with innovative thinking as regards construction methodology and design.
