We admit it: runway slab replacement didn’t exactly register on our virtual thermometer of what’s “cool” here at YVR. But after learning more about a recent project to replace some of the concrete slabs forming our 15-year-old north runway, we knew we had to equip our airside maintenance team with the tools to get some stunning visuals of this epic race against the clock.
As the project required the shutdown of one of our two primary runways to aircraft takeoffs and landings, our team had a mere 37 hours to saw, cut and demolish 11 massive slabs – each equivalent in size to a small bachelor apartment – and install dowel and rebar before replacing the slabs. While typical concrete takes 28 days to cure, our team utilized a specially formulated, high-strength formula that cured in just 12 hours!
Watch the project in action: