Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been appointed by Colas Limited to deliver multidisciplinary design services for Cork Runway Rehabilitation.

The runway reconstruction forms part of a €40m+ investment in Cork Airport for 2020-2022. It will be the fastest large-scale construction project undertaken in Ireland in recent years – 12 months from funding approval to the completion of the main works – encompassing EU tendering, design, regulatory approvals and construction. Colas Limited was awarded the main runway re-construction contract and has appointed Atkins as their designer for the project.

Atkins is providing runway pavement, airfield ground lighting and drainage design services to the project. Collaboration with Colas and the daa team began with early contractor involvement, followed by design development and Irish Aviation Authority approval. Atkins successfully identified significant cost savings during design development, through managed value engineering and advanced pavement analysis.

Henry Poh, Aviation Lead for Atkins, Ireland, said: “Drawing upon our wealth of aviation experience both in Ireland and around the world, we are proud to have successfully delivered this project to date. We look forward to collaborating with Colas and daa on the next stages, future-proofing Ireland’s fastest growing airport for many years to come.”

Carl Fergusson, CEO Colas Limited, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the contract for the reconstruction of such a prestigious and high-profile piece of Ireland’s national infrastructure. Colas has been operating successfully in Ireland for many years and has significant experience of runway construction globally. We look forward to working closely with the team at Cork Airport to deliver this project. The project will support in excess of 250 local construction and supply chain jobs throughout Munster during its delivery.”

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said: ‘‘This will be the single biggest investment by any Government at Cork Airport and, when complete, it will serve as a key strategic asset for Cork and the entire region over the next 20 years.

“The funding, which has been made available to Cork Airport in 2021, is a clear indication of the importance that Government attaches to this airport and its capacity to weather the current crisis and to plan for recovery and growth into the future.”

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport, said: “The rebuilding of the main runway is the largest construction project to be undertaken at Cork Airport since the building of the new terminal 15 years ago. The construction programme includes a reconstruction of the main runway and the replacement of the airfield electrical systems, ducts and pits. These are all between 20 and 30 years old and the resulting electrical upgrade will reduce our runway electrical carbon footprint by 70%. These works are necessary to ensure that the main runway at Cork Airport continues to meet and exceed strict national and international regulations governing the operation and specification of runways at major airports and position us well for the future. With our physical infrastructure rebuilt, we are fully committed to rebuilding our business and connectivity and making Cork Airport once again the second largest airport in the State and connecting the South of Ireland with the world.”

Atkins provides technical services to a multitude of airports around the globe from Dubai to Hong Kong to Heathrow. In Ireland, this portfolio has included landside and airside projects for the likes of Ireland West Airport Knock and Dublin Airport. Most recently, Atkins secured planning permission for a major refurbishment of Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport.