Queenstown Airport Crosswind Runway

Hadleys were involved in the sealing of the crosswind runway at Queenstown Airport in 2011.

Sealing the runway, which has operated as a grass airstrip since the establishment of the airport in 1935, became necessary to improve its year round operation and increase safety. Frost, flooding and snow previously forced the closure of the runway up to 50 times a year, causing disruption to the numerous small aircraft operators in the area.

Hadleys provided project procurement services including tendering, contract administration and construction observation for the runway project.

Heavy rain during the course of the project led to a review of stormwater control measures adjacent to the runway. Hadleys designed and oversaw the installation of new subsoil drainage and soakpits to further ensure the ability of the crosswind runway to remain open after heavy rainfall events.

Working at the airport provided some unique challenges. There was a short construction window to reduce the closure time of the runway, which wasn’t helped by an unusually wet spring, and complex logistics to reduce the effect on helicopters, small aircraft and commercial flights that were operating over this time. Despite these challenges the project was delivered on time and under budget.