As you will be aware from earlier updates, works on North Runway’s first construction package were completed early last year and included realignment of Forrest Little Road, construction of a new junction at its intersection with Forrest Road, construction
of the new 2.5km Naul Road diversion, a new junction on St. Margaret’s Bypass, a new Toberburr spur road and two new viewing areas located on St. Margaret’s Bypass north and Forrest Little Road. This phase also included positioning the Forrest
Tavern monument opposite the Boot Inn, erection of over 14km of fencing and, extensive archaeological site investigations, in addition to other site preparatory works.
Delivery of this important element of the project laid the way for the second construction package which involves the detailed design, construction, testing, commissioning and completion of the 3,110m runway, taxiways and associated infrastructure.
It includes the isolation, demolition and removal of all redundant services within the site, including the removal of the old 11/29 runway pavement, ensuring optimisation of material re-use at all times. The package also includes surface water and
land drainage/treatments, all electrical infrastructure, instrument landing systems and navigational aid infrastructure, airport fencing, gates, perimeter road and signage, and all ancillary works.
North Runway will be equipped with Category III B instrument landing and airfield ground lighting systems which will facilitate automatic landing in almost all low visibility conditions. Given the location of North Runway, much of the
construction will be delivered landside (outside the security restricted area) which will lead to greater productivity and predictability of programme.
One of the main challenges will be integrating the runway into the existing infrastructure including links into taxiway networks, electrical and control systems, and IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) and Met Éireann navigational and meteorological systems. Additionally, the operational teams from the airport and Air Traffic Control will plan the efficient operational use of the two-runway campus.
Launch
The tendering process for the second construction package concluded in October last year with the appointment of a joint venture comprising of Irish firm Roadbridge (RB) and Spanish infrastructure company FCC Construcción (FCC). Roadbridge FCC opened the main works compound in January and the official launch of the project took place on February 14.
Pictured at the launch event were An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, daa Chief Executive, Dalton Philips,
and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD.
Local Employment
Providing employment opportunities for local residents has always been important to daa. It is for this reason that we engage with as many local agencies and companies as possible, and our latest initiative for North Runway involves a joint venture between daa/Roadbridge FCC and Empower, a local employment company which utilises cross-government agencies and services including the Department of Social Protection, INTREO, TÚS and Obair. One of Empower’s primary aims is to respond to unemployment and social exclusion through appropriate services and programmes, and North Runway was seen as an ideal vehicle to deliver that objective.
Although still only at an early stage in the project, over 250 people have been engaged on North Runway to date - 27 from Fingal, 20 from local communities adjacent the airport such as Finglas, Santry and Ballymun, with a further 40 staff renting accommodation
in Fingal. Of the 116 candidates put forward by Empower, 20 have secured employment thus far, with nine of these at Dublin Airport.
Anyone who is interested in working with Roadbridge FCC on North Runway should email their CV to nrcp2@roadbridge.ie.
Construction Works
To date, there has been 57,531 hours worked and 251 persons inducted. As of March 2019, there were 112 employees / contractors on site.
Construction works take place between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday and, when required, from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Materials deliveries will be as agreed with the planning authority, and wheel wash units and road sweepers will be located
at construction interfaces, where required. All trucks involved in the construction of North Runway will only use routes approved by the planning authority. You may contact us regarding any North Runway traffic issue on Freephone 1800-804422 or email
northrunway@daa.ie and we will rapidly address the issue with Roadbridge FCC.
Communication
Engagement with members of the public, particularly our neighbours and local communities, continues to be a priority for daa and the North Runway Team. If you have any queries or would like further information about any aspect of the project, please contact us on Freephone 1800-804422 or northrunway@daa.ie.
