Cork Airport Airfield Rehabilitation Programme

Description of Works:

The project was a major part of investment of more than €40m in the airport which is essential to the economy of the South of Ireland.

Construction works on this time sensitive project took place on a 24/7 basis, allowing the new runway to be completed by 22nd November in advance of the busy Christmas travel period. The project was initially scheduled to take 9 months to complete, However Cork Airport management (DAA) decided to avail of the huge drop in passenger numbers due to Covid-19 to fully close the airport from September 10th for ten weeks.

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin officially opened the runway on Saturday November 20th. At the ceremony Cork Airport Managing Director, Niall MacCarthy paid tribute to everyone involved in the project, ensuring that the refurbishment of the runway was completed on schedule and within budget.

Atmac Construction. were the Main Civils Contractor on the project carrying out the following scope of works:

Earthworks – Carrying out deep excavations, disposing off-site unacceptable / excess material, along with stock piling on-site useful material for reuse when backfilling and making good surroundings on completion

Drainage Improvement Works - New drainage networks constructed to improve surface water drainage on and around the surrounding landscape areas of the airfield.

Electrical Systems Improvements – The replacement of the airfield electrical systems, ducts and pits together with the construction of a new Electrical Sub-Station.

Existing electrical cables & ducts were between 20 and 30 years old, Atmac Construction. were tasked with locating, excavating, exposing, and removing these old electrical ducts and replacing with new, along with precast concrete pit chambers / access points. The resulting electrical upgrade reduced the runway electrical carbon footprint by 70% and allowed for improvements to the airfields ground lighting, approach, runway edge and centreline lighting.

Throughout this project Atmac adhered to all health, safety and security operations implemented by Cork Airport & DAA. With works beginning when the airport was still open & in operation Atmac Construction followed and obeyed all regulations regarding traffic management, access and egress to site, security checks and policies strictly imposed.

Completion Date : November 2021