CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
On April 9, construction commenced on the seven month, $30 million project rebuilding Runway 03/21 at Charleston AFB. The overall project was divided into three phases to minimize impacts to airfield operations on Runway 15/33, the base's main runway. The most difficult phase of construction began June 9, involving all work within a 500 foot-wide safety zone centered on Runway 15/33. As work within the safety zone requires closure of the runway, the entire airfield has to be closed during active construction.
Through close coordination between civil engineering, operations, the Federal Aviation Administration, Charleston County International Airport and the contractor, work on this phase was scheduled to occur every night between midnight and 6 a.m. for 60 days.
Work continues and while there have been many challenges, safety of both personnel and aircraft remains the top priority of all involved. On-site safety meetings are held at the beginning of each night's work. Prior to the end of each six hour work window, all holes are filled, obstructions removed and pavements swept clean of foreign object debris. To date, the contractor has maintained progress ahead of schedule and the airfield has safely reopened each morning.