Kadena downs the dust on runway reconstruction

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  After more than a month's work on Kadena's southern runway, the contractors are making steady progress re-laying asphalt and re-installing runway and distance lights.

As with many construction projects, the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron is taking steps to make this one as environmentally friendly as possible.

"Right now there are a number of [precautions] being taken to keep dust at a minimum," said Kevin Rogers, 718th CES construction project manager.

Mr. Rogers said the contractors are wetting the pavement as they mill and wetting the underlying rock layer as they lay the new pavement to prevent debris as the work is done. The team is also covering the trucks' loads with tarps to keep down the dust as it's moved to the stockpile off-base.

Though the teams are replacing the asphalt on the runway, Mr. Rogers said the old asphalt is being recycled by local contractors to be reused for road construction throughout Okinawa.

"Milled asphalt is probably one of the best recycled construction materials there is," Mr. Rogers added. The aggregate - the rock portion - is easily reused. It's very economical, and you don't have to use new stuff every time, so it helps the environment."

Since the work force is all Japanese and Okinawan, most of the economic benefits impact Okinawa by going either directly to Okinawan workers or by funding future projects on the island.

"By doing this project, I believe we're one step closer to making a better relationship between U.S. servicemembers and Okinawan citizens," said Brandon Nix, an American Engineering Corporation coordinator for the project and an Okinawan citizen.

Officials from the 718th CES said runway reconstruction is currently on-schedule. The southern runway is projected to be completed within the next seven months, followed by a nine-month renovation of the northern runway.