64 | T T Russell Fredric Technically demanding runway project nod Working with Wellington Airport and designer AECOM, the ECI phase allowed Downer to thoroughly assess the project. Highly Commended recognition at the national 2026 CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards reflects Downer’s work on Wellington International Airport’s technically demanding EMAS runway project. Downer entered the project through an early contract engagement (ECI), allowing three months to investigate site services, pavement, layout and design before submitting a conforming bid for the $20 million project. EMAS (Engineered Materials Arresting System) is crushable energy-absorbing blocks designed to slow and stop an aircraft in the event of a runway overrun. Working with Wellington Airport and designer AECOM, the ECI phase allowed Downer to thoroughly assess the project and improve the design and programme. Senior project engineer Mallan Gouda says Wellington’s winter weather resulted in the initially planned one-year programme being divided into two separable portions – SP1 and SP2. “SP1 was primarily all the underground utilities that we had to finish before all the paving began,” Mallan says. Between April and July 2025, Downer completed underground utility diversions, taxiway repaving and realignment, and preparation for lighting and cabling. SP2 ran from November 2025 to March 2026, focusing on installation of the EMAS blocks. Each EMAS bed is about 55 metres by 90 metres and comprises more than 3000 blocks manufactured in the United States. The blocks were shipped from Philadelphia to Tauranga and then railed to Wellington and moved to a staging yard near the airport for sequential installation. Downer: Wellington Airport Runway REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The system was integrated into the existing runway safety areas, adding 143 metres of effective landing distance and 37 metres for take-off without extending the runway. Downer’s scope included pavement and asphalt reconstruction, airfield ground lighting, Instrument Landing System integration and enabling the installation of the Southern Hemisphere’s first End Fire ILS navigational aid system. For Mallan and the team, the defining challenge was working within an operating international airport. The work period depended on the final international flight, while the first morning departure imposed a firm deadline for handing the runway back. “Our working times usually meant between 12.30am to 5.30am, with the last flight flying in between 12.15am and 12.30am and the first flight taking off at 6.05am.” Proudly supporting Downer Pavement Construction • Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance • Civil Works • mmGPS 021 899 161 simon@evolveroading.co.nz evolveroading.co.nz GET IN TOUCH • Truck Hire • Truck Sales • Equipment Rental Proudly supporting Downer quotes@cvh.co.nz 0800 284 4473 The team managed foreign object debris risks, protected existing airfield assets and ensured completed work was inspected and accepted before aircraft operations resumed. Experience from Downer’s Queenstown Airport EMAS project helped develop the Wellington team’s installation capability. The Queenstown installation crew spent several weeks training the Wellington crew, while lessons from the project and careful
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