Boral’s Top Airport Surfacing and Resurfacing Projects

Airports are a crucial part of modern Australian society, serving as vital links between regions and cities whilst contributing significantly to economic success and cultural growth. When it comes to important infrastructure projects, airports rank amongst the highest, and the construction or rehabilitation work on airside facilities, such as runways, taxiways, and runway-aprons, requires the expertise of experienced and trusted providers.

Boral has a proven track record in delivering successful airport surfacing and resurfacing projects. Our capability and expertise in managing airport infrastructure extends throughout Australia.

Find out about our top eight projects:

1. Mount Gambier Regional Airport Upgrade Project

Boral rehabilitated and widened the runway and taxiway, upgraded the centre runway with a new asphalt overlay, and strengthened the RPT apron at Mount Gambier Regional Airport. The project was completed without disrupting airport operations and schedules, leading to the airport attracting a second carrier (Qantas Link) and serving around 95,000 passengers annually.

2. Norfolk Island Airport Runway Upgrade Project

Boral enjoyed the challenge of Norfolk Island Airport Runway Upgrade project. The project involved repairing and resurfacing the runway, upgrading aeronautical ground lighting, and building a concrete apron to meet CASA safety standards. Despite logistical hurdles due to the remote location and unpredictable weather, the project was completed successfully whilst managing pandemic-related challenges.

3. Sydney Airport Resurfacing Upgrade Project

Boral resurfaced Sydney Airport's main and cross runways during an eight-month period in 2010-11. This involved removing existing asphalt and laying fresh material during flight curfew hours. The project required extensive planning, execution, and survey work, and involved over 90 people and 70 pieces of equipment.

4. Gold Coast Airport Resurfacing Upgrade Project

Boral upgraded and resurfaced the runway at Gold Coast Airport, one of Australia's busiest airports, with careful coordination to minimise disruption and maintain safety. Boral was responsible for supplying and laying asphalt, including profiling, sealing, and priming pavements, and applying a fuel-resistant membrane to refuelling areas. Boral collaborated with civil authorities, Gold Coast Airport, and BECA to complete the project before the busy Christmas period, while meeting airport specifications for mix quality and compaction.

5. Emerald Airport Upgrade Project

Boral completed the multi-million-dollar upgrade of Emerald Airport, which included resurfacing the runway, taxiway, and apron bays, reconstructing aprons and refuelling areas, and expanding the general aviation apron. Boral's expertise in stone mastic asphalt led to the construction of Australia's first stone mastic asphalt runway, which is expected to last five-plus years longer than usual surfaces, saving significant future maintenance costs for the airport owner. The project involved several tasks such as removal of subgrade material, deep asphalt patches, surface milling, runway and apron resurfacing, ground lighting replacement, construction of flanking material, fuel-resistant membrane, line marking, and design to meet national aviation standards. The project was completed in early 2020.

6. Adelaide Airport Expansion Project

Boral expanded Adelaide Airport's southern apron to create more space for aircraft parking and meet increased flight demand. The project was completed in collaboration with Adelaide Airport and LendLease, effectively managing within restricted pavement areas and tight project requirements and timeframes. The expansion added 20,000 square meters to the airport's capacity, allowing for four more planes to be parked.

7. Coffs Harbour Airport Expansion Project

Boral upgraded Coffs Harbour Airport by increasing its aircraft parking capacity from three to five. This involved extending the apron, strengthening the pavement, improving drainage, and widening a taxiway. The project was completed ahead of time and under budget, with minimal disruption to passengers and aircraft operations, using unique bitumen from Sydney and scheduling the asphalt work with Coffs Harbour Council. The airport's upgrade subsequently won the Large Regional Airport of the Year Award at the national industry awards in 2017.

8. Geraldton Airport Upgrade Project

The Geraldton Airport Upgrade Project extended and widened the runway, taxiway, and apron to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A330. The project was funded by the Australian Government Building Better Regions Fund, the Western Australia's Regional Airports Development Scheme, and the City of Greater Geraldton.

Boral has extensive experience and a proven track record of delivering high quality airport surfacing and resurfacing projects. Whether the project requires the upgrading of an existing airport or the construction of new infrastructure, Boral is the ideal partner for airport owners and operators seeking the best possible outcome.