Oakland International Airport completes phase 1 of taxiway rehabilitation project

Phase 2 of the airfield project will begin later this year. CREDIT: Royal Electric Company

Oakland International Airport (OAK) has completed phase 1 of its Taxiway W Rehabilitation project, a multi-year phased approach to improving one of the most critical taxiways at OAK. Phase 1 rehabilitated approximately 1,900 feet of Taxiway W, the primary departure route for nearly all operations at OAK’s primary runway. Taxiway W is utilised by general aviation, commercial traffic, cargo, military, and even SF Fleet Week air show operations. Construction began in August 2023 and reached substantial completion in late 2023.

Prime contractors on the project included AECOM (design) and DeSilva Gates Construction, LLC (construction), in addition to a multitude of supporting subcontractors and suppliers including Royal Electric Company. The total project cost for phase 1 was $28.7 million, with $19.2 million sourced from FAA grant funding via the Airport Improvement Programme.

Oakland International Airport has completed phase 1 of its Taxiway W Rehabilitation project. CREDIT: Royal Electric Company

As a significant capital project, the project operated under the Port of Oakland’s Maritime and Aviation Project Labor Agreement (MAPLA). MAPLA provides local union wages that exceed federally required rates and includes participation of economically disadvantaged workers.

The engagement of airport stakeholder partners was key in developing detailed project phasing plans.  As a result of this collaborative approach, Oakland International Airport implemented two unique solutions specific to this project phase:

1. Utilisation of jet blast deflectors to safely bring construction crews and equipment in closer proximity to aircraft, creating efficiencies in construction and minimising airfield operations impact.
2. Activated a temporary bypass taxiway around the construction site, allowing the Airport to maintain aircraft and airline access to primary Runway 12-30 throughout construction.

The airport will continue with phase 2 of the Taxiway W Rehabilitation, currently out for bid and slated to begin construction in summer 2024. Phase 2 is poised to rehabilitate approximately 5,000 feet of Taxiway W. This portion of Taxiway W serves as the primary arrival route for nearly all operations at OAK’s primary runway, as well as departure traffic during inclement weather conditions.