Airport infrastructure projects require construction teams to coordinate complex engineering work while maintaining operational requirements and protecting existing systems. Pulice, a FlatironDragados company, Mesa Gateway Airport Authority and Kimley-Horn received a 2026 Engineering Excellence Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona for the first phase of the Runway 12R-30L reconstruction at Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona.
The $18.5 million project reconstructed a 2,800-foot runway section between Taxiways B3 and L. The team completed the work ahead of schedule and under budget while keeping airport operations active throughout construction.
The reconstruction included runway shoulder improvements, drainage work, airfield lighting, signage and pavement markings.
One significant construction challenge involved the discovery of active fiber-optic and communications lines that could not be relocated or taken out of service. The project team developed aircraft-rated handhole solutions to protect the existing infrastructure while allowing construction activities to continue without affecting the schedule.
The project also incorporated material reuse and field verification measures to control costs and reduce construction waste.
All existing runway pavement materials were reused onsite. Field investigations reduced the estimated volume of unsuitable material requiring mitigation from 13,000 cubic yards to approximately 1,100 cubic yards. The resulting savings allowed the airport authority to redirect funding toward electrical upgrades.
The project was among the first horizontal Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) initiatives undertaken by the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.
The delivery approach brought the owner, contractor and engineering team together to address construction challenges and coordinate technical decisions during execution.
Completion of Phase I supported the advancement of additional airfield work, including Phase II of the Runway 12R-30L reconstruction and Taxiway Golf improvements.
The Mesa Gateway Airport project demonstrates how coordinated construction management, field verification and material reuse can support airport infrastructure improvements while maintaining active operations.
For airport owners and infrastructure contractors, the project highlights the importance of protecting existing utilities, managing unsuitable materials and coordinating construction activities within operational airfield environments. Its recognition also underscores the role of collaborative CMAR delivery in addressing complex aviation infrastructure requirements.
Source: Pulice.
