Rehabilitation, Expansion and Extension of the FOX Taxiway — Simón Bolívar Intl. Airport, Maiquetía
Project sheet
- Sector
- Transportation
- Client
- Instituto Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar (IAIM)
- Location
- Maiquetía, La Guaira State, Venezuela
- Year
- 2019
- Investment
- US$14.9 million
- Vialpa Role
- Runway rehabilitation, expansion and extension — alternate and temporary runway
Project overview
Modification of the Fox Taxiway to serve as a temporary runway while the main Runway 10-28 was rehabilitated; afterward it returns to taxiway use and can also serve as an alternate runway during temporary closures of the main runway, ensuring uninterrupted airport operations. The project extended the length by 100 meters to reach 2,700 meters and widened the cross-section from 45 to 60 meters, extending the pavement structure from 30 to 45 meters wide. Works included rehabilitating the entire pavement, building the expanded structural pavement, reconstructing lateral safety strips, and all civil works to relocate beacon lights and navigation/approach instruments. Now designated Runway 10R-28L, it holds FAA and ICAO certifications and allows wide-body aircraft operations up to approximately 300 tons.
The Challenge
Execute the modification of an existing taxiway to convert it into an operational temporary runway during the rehabilitation of the main runway at the country's most important international airport, maintaining airport operational continuity while simultaneously complying with FAA and ICAO standards for wide-body runway qualification.
Vialpa Scope
Full rehabilitation of existing pavement; construction of expanded structural pavement (widening from 45 to 60 m cross-section and 30 to 45 m structure); 100 m extension to reach 2,700 m length; reconstruction of lateral safety strips; and civil works for relocation of beacon lights and navigation/approach instruments.
Engineering / Construction Approach
Phased planning to enable the temporary runway without interrupting airport operations, with quality control under FAA and ICAO regulations, coordinated works-front management with the aeronautical authority, and systematic reconstruction of the structural pavement to support aircraft operations up to 300 tons.
Operational Constraints
Execution within an operational international airport, with coordination of access, aeronautical work windows, and the obligation to maintain operational continuity during the rehabilitation of the main runway.
Technical Highlights
- Modification of the Fox Taxiway as a temporary runway during the rehabilitation of the main Runway 10-28
- 100 m extension to reach 2,700 m final length; cross-section widening from 45 to 60 m
- Designated Runway 10R-28L with FAA and ICAO certifications; wide-body aircraft operations up to ~300 tons
- Full pavement rehabilitation, expanded structural pavement construction and reconstruction of lateral safety strips
Key Quantities
Photographic archive and field execution
Original photographic field documentation of road execution, structures, concrete barriers and earthmoving by Constructora Vialpa.
Panoramic aerial perspective of Simón Bolívar International Airport: complete parallel runway corridor (main runway and enabled Fox Taxiway / 10R-28L), commercial aprons, and Caribbean coastline
Runway 10R threshold: compliant threshold markings, centerline, lateral safety strips, and high-capacity airfield pavement for wide-body aircraft under FAA and ICAO standards
Threshold 28L at sunset: newly installed asphalt wearing course measuring 2,700 m in length and 60 m in cross-section, complete with aeronautical horizontal markings
Rapid-exit taxiway interconnection with directional navigational striping toward passenger aprons and terminals, set against the coastal mountain range
Earthmoving and subgrade formation front: crawler excavator, heavy motor grader, and haulers executing 36,312 m³ of earthwork and structural cross-section widening
