Reducing Airfield FOD During O'hare Modernization Program Construction
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago O'Hare is one of the busiest airport in the USA, handling 83.4 million passengers in 2018 according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Originally built in 1955, the airport as undergone many revisions as air traffic volume increases. In 2005, the Chicago Department of Aviation, working with the FAA, began planning major airport developments to provide greater capacity and efficiency as well as reducing noise from the airfield. This resulted in the O’Hare Modernization Program which includes the construction of a new airfield, optimizations to existing airfields, relocation of the Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE).
As part of the $6.6 billion dollar O’Hare Modernization Program F.H. Paschen was selected by the City of Chicago to complete work on the west and center sections of Runway 9C/27C. The airfield was opened November 5, 2020, the new airfield provides additional capacity to the main terminal helping to reduce congestion. This project was the final runway built under the O’Hare Modernization Program and marks the completion of a 15 year plan.
F.H. Paschen scope on this project included the demolition and recycling of approximately 180,000 tons of existing pavement, installation of five miles of new drainage pipe, six miles of electrical duct banks to support future runway/taxiway electrical and communication systems, 100,000 cubic yards of new runway and taxiway pavement, service roads and the relocation of the existing Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE).
The Runway 9C-27C project spans 512 days and required the transport of demolition materials from the airfield. Effective vehicle FOD containment and control techniques were essential to prevent vehicles from tracking debris onto active access roads and aircraft intersections. F.H. Paschen used FOD Prevention Mats on access roads near the exit points of the demolition areas. The mats, which are effective in both temporary and permanent applications, allowed F.H. Paschen to minimize FOD during each phase of the project as the work continued.
F.H. Paschen has a history of adapting to challenges and finding innovative solutions. The FOD Prevention mat system enabled the high traffic site reduce FOD and operate without delays.
FOD Prevention Mats are easily transported, configured, installed, removed, and relocated to reduce FOD tracked from vehicle tires onto access roads and aircraft intersections. FOD Prevention Mats contain rows of alternating pyramids that are engineered to separate tire treads and dislodge debris. Sediment and debris collect at the base of the pyramids away from vehicle tires. The FOD Prevention Mat System can help to reduce foreign object debris (FOD) that is tracked onto active taxiways. FOD Prevention Mats can also contain sediment and debris that may be contaminated with PFAS or other hazardous substances.
FODS Mats can withstand weights in excess of 80 tons per mat, and are made from a durable polyethylene which make FODS easy to transport, move, relocate, and reuse. FODS include a 15 year UV inhibitor enabling applications on both short term projects and permanent installations.
Contact FODS today for more information.
844-200-3637
info@getfods.com.