Clifden Airstrip

Project:	Clifden Airstrip, Co. Galway
Completion Date:	2010
Client:	Department of Community, Gaeltacht & Rural Affairs
Project Value:	€5.0
Services Provided:	Project Management, Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) for the Construction Stage
Project Size:	610m x 60m Airstrip wihtin 3.6 Hectare Site

Project Description

The project involved the construction of a runway (550m x 20m wide) and associated shoulder, encompassing a total airstrip of 3.6 HA, (610m x 60m). The site, almost rectangular in shape, comprised of blanket bog and rock at varying depths underlying the bog. It was necessary to excavate down to bedrock in order to provide a suitable foundation for the airstrip. Piled foundations were installed at either end of the airstrip due to the varying rock profiles. All excavated material, both peat and rock, was retained for use on site. A lightweight PVC drainage system, partly suspended, was installed to take surface water runoff to an adjacent water course. During the course of the works, an outline planning permission was prepared and submitted for a Terminal Building. The Terminal Building with a floor area of 69 m2 incorporated an Air Traffic Viewing Platform and 50 space car park with access roadway. The airstrip is a category 1B aerodrome with a runway in the north east/south west direction.

Garland were appointed project managers and PSDP for the construction stage of the project including tender procurements and construction administration supervision. We also undertook a planning permission for the Terminal Building and associated car park and modifications to the entrance and boundary treatment. We used a number of specialist sub-consultants to complete the project and these included Applied Ground Engineering Consultants, DK Archaeology, Aqua Fact Environmental, Tom Healy Consulting Engineers and Patricia Colleary & Associates.