As part of one of the most important capital infrastructure projects the Hervey Bay City Council has ever undertaken,
Decmil was responsible for the upgrade of the runway, constructed concurrently with a major upgrade to the airport terminal that went on to win the Australian Airport of the Year.
The runway upgrade required major earthworks for a 500m extension including 120,000m3 cut and fill, pavement apron widening to 60m, foundation improvement and surfacing works, box culverts, and upgrade of the runway and apron lighting.
Working within an operational airport required precision programming and effective coordination of subcontractors. Despite being completed in the wettest quarter recorded in the region, the airport remained operational for the full duration of the works, with the exception of only two weeks where aircraft were transferred to the Maryborough Airport whilst asphalt surfacing works were carried out.
Completed a month ahead of schedule, Decmil delivered substantial savings, enabling the principal to combine and accelerate works to incorporate a cross runway, representing a 10 percent saving on the total project cost.