(MAN) JULIET TAXIWAY

Gill Civil rehabilitated Taxiway Juliet at Manchester Airport within restricted night operations, completing the works ahead of schedule while enhancing pavement strength and maintaining full airfield functionality.

Project Overview and Scope

Gill Civil was appointed by Galliford Try to deliver the rehabilitation of Taxiway Juliet at Manchester Airport. The works included breakout and removal of 2,500m² of existing pavement, protection of live services,
delethalisation of excavated areas, installation of 430m of land drain and filter blanket, primary and secondary AGL systems, and construction of lean mix and Pavement Quality Concrete supplied from an on-site batching plant. The scheme formed a key part of maintaining airfield performance and operational resilience.

Challenges and Execution

Located Adjacent to Runway 05L-23R, works were restricted to short night-time airside possession windows, requiring precise planning and efficient excecution. Daily delethalisation and strict FOD controls were essential to using precision saw cutting and vacuum lifting techniques to minimise risk, followed by sub-base replacement and staged concrete installation. Weather disruptions and operational cancellations required flexible programming, responsive shift management, and close coordination with airport stakeholders.

Benefits and Outcomes

All work areas were safely handed back to airport operations after each shift, maintaining full runway functionality throughout the programme. The project was completed nearly one month ahead of schedule, enhancing pavement strength, improving drainage performance, and delivering a durable, high-quality airfield solution with minimal disruption to airport operations.