West Virginia Air National Guard Project Update

Independence Excavating was awarded the contract by Clark Construction to begin construction of the runway extension at the West Virginia Air National Guard base in Martinsburg, West Virginia in August 2006. This project consists of removing 85,000 cubic yards of topsoil, excavation of 700,000 cubic yards of dirt and rock and removing a portion of the existing runway. The rock on this project is being removed by ripping and hydraulic hammers. This method allowed the rock to be kept clean, allowing it to be crushed on site by Independence Recycling. The project also consisted of 10,000 linear feet of storm drainage, placement of 120,000 tons of aggregates, of which approximately 50,000 tons were crushed on site.

The runway was originally slated to be aircraft ready on December 20, 2006. The West Virginia Air National Guard announced that the first C-5 would land on Monday, December 4, 2006, shortening the work schedule. This feat was accomplished even despite an abnormally wet September and October. Further work is still progressing through the winter and should be completed by June 30, 2007.

The runway project is being worked in conjunction with the C-5 apron and hangar project that was awarded in August 2005. The apron pavement was delayed for 4 months while waiting on a redesign. The redesign was completed and construction resumed around the same time the runway project started. The redesign required Independence Excavating to excavate an additional 26,000 cubic yards of material at a 6-inch depth over the entire pavement area along with the placement of 65,000 tons of stone and placement of 165,000 square yards of filter fabric.

Both projects required special care to be taken while construction was being completed due to the sensitivity of the sub-grade that was encountered. The stone could only be placed on the sub-grade area in which the asphalt paving contractor could cover prior to the next precipitation. The milestones on these projects were met by working day and night shifts for 3 months with the cooperation and dedication of all the operators, laborers, mechanics, greasers, fuel men, surveyors, project managers and supervision.

These projects will be completed mid-year of the 2007 construction season.