Securing the future

While planning segregated passenger areas was a critical element of the design process, so, too, was the need to keep the airport fully operational during construction.

Beca, the lead consultant, project manager and provider of engineering services, provided specialist design services to enable the airport to operate while building was under way. Project manager Helen Ferner says this included designing modifications to existing aircraft stands.

"We had to provide construction access while prioritising passenger safety, security and maintaining full aircraft operability," she says. "Airport operations couldn't be compromised."

Beca's specialist services included passenger flow analyses, and the provision of technical support to AIAL for the CAA's submissions to demonstrate compliance with the security requirements of the Civil Aviation Act.

Engineering design expertise provided by Beca included structural, civil and geotechnical services. The company also provided mechanical, electrical, fire, security and communications services.

"This was an extremely challenging and complex project, undertaken in a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week operational environment," says Ferner. "Multiple stakeholders created aspecial challenge, with 17,000 passengers and 105 aircraft movements daily. In some cases we had live construction just 7.5m away from moving aircraft."

Ferner says Beca utilised extensive planning with carefully co-ordinated schedules, innovative design solutions and project management techniques to deliver this project. The team approach also ensured the project was completed within budget and on schedule.

For more information, contact Beca, phone (09) 300 9000. Website: www.beca.com.

Story by: Trendsideas