Nuiqsut Airport Improvements

Project Detailsx

Servicesx

> Planning & Design
> Geotechnical Services
> Environmental Services & Permitting
> Surveying
> Construction Administration

Project Overviewx

In the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018, the runway at Nuiqsut Airport was in a state of disrepair. The surface was saturated, soft, and rutted, making it impossible for the NSB’s Department of Public Works (DPW) to maintain the runway during wet conditions and breakup. Consequently, the runway had to be closed for weeks at a time, which caused significant inconvenience to the community. To address this issue, the DPW reached out to HDL for assistance.

Upon receiving the request, HDL sent its personnel to Nuiqsut Airport to assess the condition of the runway and work with the DPW and a local contractor to find a solution. After conducting a thorough evaluation, HDL determined that more material was needed on the runway to re-establish the crown and provide positive drainage to the edge of the embankment.

HDL then developed a scope of work and negotiated a fair cost with the contractor for the emergency repair. The team also oversaw the construction on behalf of the owner and inspected the work to ensure that the runway was firm and competent enough to support traffic until the completion of the runway reconstruction project in 2020.

To accelerate the schedule, HDL fast-tracked Phase 1 of the project, which involved replacing the failing and unsafe power, lighting controls, and standby generator. In Phase 2, the airport was reconstructed. HDL prepared a separate procurement to import approximately 58,000 tons of CASC via the industry ice road in winter and provided construction administration and post-construction phase services, including resident inspection and project management in Nuiqsut over two construction seasons.