DEN Gate Expansion Program
FODS Mitigate Debris on Den Gate Expansion project
Denver, CO
Background
Originally constructed in 1995, the Denver International Airport (DEN, or DIA) has grown to become the busiest airport in the United States and the second largest airport in the world by land area. Built to provide service for 50 million annual passengers, the airport’s passenger volume has increased to 69 million annual passengers in 2019 with passenger volume expected to reach 100 million in 2031.
DEN Gate Expansion Project
To accommodate the continued growth, DEN continues to expand the facilities and gates. The recent major development completed in 2022 is the Gate Expansion Project with an estimated budget of $2.3 billion which is part of DEN’s Capital Improvement Plan. The project includes a total of 39 new gates which will increase capacity by 30% with a total of nearly 1.2 million square feet of additional space. The Project will also include a number of improvements including a new commuter facility, airline support spaces, ground load facility, and technology upgrades.
The Gate Expansion and Concourse Projects were constructed by two joint-ventures: Holder Construction and FCI Constructors Inc. on Concourse B-East and Concourse C-East; and Turner Construction and Flatiron Construction on Concourse A-West and Concourse B-West. Both projects began in 2018 and all expansion work the Gate Expansion project is expected to be largely completed by the end of 2021.
Vehicle Track-Out Controls and FOD Mitigation
The Gate Expansion Project was conducted while airlines continued to operate at DIA using existing gates which required careful attention to prevent debris from construction activity from entering the active taxiways and runways. Foreign Object Debris or Damage (FOD) refers to any objects on runways and taxiways which can cause damage to aircraft components including landing gear and engines. FOD is the main cause of aircraft engine damage and can come from multiple sources during daily operations. One common source of FOD on airports is debris from ground support vehicles and in the case of construction projects, delivery vehicles and construction equipment.
On the DEN Gate Expansion Project, construction teams ensured safe aircraft operations by implementing a variety of FOD mitigation techniques throughout the work site including the FODS Trackout Control Mats as a Vehicle Track-Out Control BMP. The FODS Trackout Control System is designed to minimize dirt, sediment and other debris which would be tracked out of work sites on construction vehicle tires. The mats remove debris by utilizing a grid of pyramids which flex tire treads allowing debris to break loose. As an aggregate-free Construction Track-Out Control BMP, the FODS system provides a safer alternative compared to traditional rock construction entrances by reducing the risk of loose rocks escaping onto access roads.
The expedited nature of the large-scale expansion project required easy-to-move, rapid installation entrances that were within budget and ensured construction site cleanliness free of FOD (foreign object debris), all while maintaining aircraft traffic movements. The portable, durable system is designed to be relocated as needed throughout each phase of the project and can be reused on multiple projects of the 10+ year lifespan of the product. In addition, the system can be deployed over existing asphalt, concrete or dirt substrates and requires minimal remediation when work is completed allowing construction operations to reduce delays between project phases.
FOD Control AT Airports
FOD Prevention Mats are easily transported, configured, installed, removed, and relocated to reduce FOD tracked from vehicle tires onto access roads and aircraft intersections. FOD Prevention Mats contain rows of alternating pyramids that are engineered to separate tire treads and dislodge debris. Sediment and debris collect at the base of the pyramids away from vehicle tires. The FOD Prevention Mat System can help to reduce foreign object debris (FOD) that is tracked onto active taxiways. FOD Prevention Mats can also contain sediment and debris that may be contaminated with PFAS or other hazardous substances.
FODS Mats can withstand weights in excess of 80 tons per mat, and are made from a durable polyethylene which make FODS easy to transport, move, relocate, and reuse. FODS include a 15 year UV inhibitor enabling applications on both short term projects and permanent installations.
FOD Prevention Mats are 100% made and sourced in the USA and can be completely recycled at the end of their 15 year lifecycle.
Originally designed as a reusable stabilized construction entrance, the effective design of the mats allows a wider application as is seen in the case of the Chennault International Airport. The mats can also be used to contain trackout from airport construction projects. The effective and low maintenance solution can contain debris without introducing rock or aggregate to the airfield.
Contact FODS today for more information.
844-200-3637
info@getfods.com.