Case study: Adelaide Airport 2010–11 runways and taxiways overlay project

Abstract

The 2010–11 runways and taxiways overlay project conducted at Adelaide Airport is considered to be the largest airport maintenance overlay and largest airfield light-emitting diode (LED) installation undertaken in Australia. In a first for Australian aviation, an early contractor involvement procurement model was implemented together with a measure and value contract. Innovation was required in order to conduct the project in the extreme risk averse and regulated airport environment. The project was successfully completed within the approved budget and programme. No aircraft operations were disrupted during construction and proactive consultation minimised the impact on other stakeholders. At the 2011 Project Management Achievement Awards, the project won the Australian and Asia-Pacific awards for construction/engineering under AUS$100m. In November 2011, Adelaide Airport Limited was awarded Australian Capital City Airport of the Year at the Australian Airport Association Convention in recognition of its highly successful management of the project.