Airport Runway & Taxiway Paving Services in Michigan

Building High-Performance Runways and Taxiways for Michigan's Airport Authorities and Aviation Facilities

For more than 72 years, AJAX Paving has delivered airport runway paving in Michigan for some of the state's busiest and most demanding aviation facilities. Headquartered in Troy, our commercial paving teams work with the Michigan Department of Transportation, regional airport authorities, and municipalities on runway, taxiway, and apron reconstruction projects that must meet strict FAA specifications.

From airport runway concrete paving in Michigan to full-depth asphalt reconstruction, our crews bring the equipment, engineering knowledge, and safety practices required for aviation-grade paving. Contact our Michigan team to discuss your airport runway construction paving needs, or learn more about our asphalt construction and concrete construction capabilities.

AJAX Paving project in Michigan

See More of AJAX Paving's Airport Projects in Michigan

  • Oscoda Airport

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • DTW Runway 3L/21R and Centralized Deicing Facility

    What We Did


    Runway 3L/21R is one of two primary departure runways located adjacent to both the North and McNamara Terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Due to the high volumes of outbound traffic in Detroit, the reconstruction of Runway 3L/21R and its Associated Taxiways was of utmost importance for Wayne County Airport Authority. Tight time restrictions and phasing plans were implemented to ensure the least amount of impact to the Airport Authorities tenants. Complementing the runway project was the new Centralized Deicing Facility that allowed airlines to decrease taxiing times to and from the new runway.

    Between the two, Ajax placed 584,000 square yards of 17” P-501 concrete while utilizing 37.5' and 40' paving lanes, along with utilizing two double drum Erie Strayer batch plants. Despite the two-year project being built during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Ajax and the A-Team of essential workers got the work done in 18 work phases. Awards for the project included a Gold from ACPA for the Commercial Service & Military Airports category, and Envision Gold from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure..


    Project Highlights:

    • 584,000 square yards of 17” Concrete Pavement
    • 474,000 tons of Hot Mix Asphalt
    • Recipient of the ACPA Excellence in Commercial Service & Military Airports Gold Award Winner and Envision Gold from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure
  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport Terminal Reconstruction

    What We Did


    With prime contractor Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc, Ajax Paving is laying 16” Portland Concrete Cement Pavement on CTB for FAA Specifications.


    Project Highlights:

    • 16” PCCP on CTB
    • 8” PCCP on open graded
    • 142,000 total syd of 16” PCCP
    • 11,000 total syd of 8” PCCP
  • Coleman A. Young Airport

    What We Did


    Coleman A. Young Airport is primarily used for personal aircraft, business planes, and helicopters. The Taxiway A reconstruction project proved especially challenging because the airport had to remain open during the project to accommodate air traffic for high-profile events in Detroit, such as Monday Night Football and MLB playoff games.

    We completed the project in multiple phases. The project required the most advanced GPS grade control for both grading and paving operations on the existing deep-strength asphalt taxiway (measuring between 10 and 14 inches of asphalt). Four inches of asphalt was milled off, with the remaining asphalt pulverized, reshaped, and compacted back to 100 percent density. The project involved placing 4 inches of asphalt in two lifts, totaling approximately 25,000 tons.


    Project Highlights:

    • 25,000 tons of asphalt placed
    • GPS grade control for grading and paving
    • National Asphalt Pavement Association Award of Merit
  • Grosse Ile Municipal Airport: Runway 4-22 Reconstruction

    What We Did


    This project reconstructed Runway 4-22 at Grosse Ile Municipal Airport. This included removal of the existing composite pavement on the 4,850-foot runway, drainage improvements, aggregate base installation, HMA P-401 installation, lighting/electrical upgrades, and restoration. The P-401 mixture was designed for aircraft with gross weights of less than 60,000 pounds or tire pressures less than 100 psi. A total of 11,210 tons of P-401 was installed (4 inches of P-401 in two 2-inch thick courses) on the 75-foot wide runway. The same mix design was used for both courses.

    Stringent PWL parameters were a part of the specification that measured mat density, joint density air voids, stability, and flow. Continual focus and dedication to quality in all aspects of the project enabled the team to achieve exceptional results. Ajax delivered a product of the highest quality that met or exceeded all project requirements.


    Project Highlights:

    • P-401 mixture was designed for aircraft runways
    • 11,210 tons of P-401 installed
    • All project requirements met or exceeded
  • DTW Runway 4L/22R and Associated Taxiways

    What We Did


    Due to its importance to air traffic in southeastern Michigan, the reconstruction of Runway 4L/22R at Detroit Metro Airport was the greatest challenge facing the Wayne County Airport Authority in recent years. The project would require nearly 450,000 square yards of 18.5-inch PCCP, making it the largest U.S. airport concrete pavement project constructed of 2016.

    Runway 4L/22R is 10,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. Its high use required the Airport Authority to "Fast Track" the design and construction. Typically, it is used for aircraft arrivals and can accommodate operations in low-visibility conditions, making it critical to the airport's operational efficiency and business continuity. The project also involved the reconstruction of the associated taxiway system, providing a safe connection for aircraft from the runway to the passenger terminals.


    Project Highlights:

    • 450,000 square yards of 18.5-inch PCCP
    • 10,000 feet long, 150 wide runway
    • “Fast Track” design and construction

Our Airport Construction Capabilities

Airport paving asks more of a contractor than almost any other type of commercial work. Tight FAA specifications, active-airfield safety protocols, and compressed construction windows must all come together without disrupting flight operations. AJAX Paving has built a Michigan-based team, fleet, and process specifically to meet those demands.


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Airport Aces

Our project managers, engineers, and crews bring decades of combined experience planning and constructing airport runways and taxiways under FAA oversight.

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High-Spec Concrete

We calibrate advanced mobile batch concrete plants to the exact mix design and specification required for each runway or taxiway project.

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Safety First

AJAX Paving is ranked among the top contractors in the nation for our safety record, a standard we uphold on every active airfield we work on.

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Sky-High Praise

We've completed award-winning runway and taxiway reconstruction projects at airports across Michigan, Florida, and the broader U.S.

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Leading Technology

AJAX Paving uses stringless technology and other advanced systems on airport projects to improve accuracy, reduce risk, and keep work on schedule.

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Peerless Equipment

Our fleet includes GPS-grade control and other purpose-built equipment for automated grading and paving of FAA-grade runways.

Runway & Taxiway Paving Solutions for Michigan Airports

Airport runways and taxiways can be built using either Portland cement concrete or hot mix asphalt, and the right choice depends on traffic loads, aircraft weight classifications, and an airport authority's long-term maintenance plan. AJAX Paving has extensive experience with airport runway pavement designs on both sides, from thick PCCP sections engineered for the heaviest commercial aircraft to P-401 and P-501 asphalt mixes built for smaller regional and municipal airfields. Every project starts with a design review of subgrade conditions, drainage, and expected traffic before our teams move forward with construction.

For airports managing distress in existing pavement, we also provide airport runway concrete repair in Michigan, including joint repair, slab replacement, and partial-depth patching, which extends the service life of a runway without requiring full reconstruction. Because every airfield operates on its own schedule and safety requirements, our teams develop detailed phasing plans that allow work to continue while keeping the airport open to air traffic whenever possible.

Industry Recognition Built on Decades of Results

Airport construction is one of the most technically demanding categories in commercial paving, and AJAX Paving's work has been recognized accordingly. Our airport runway and taxiway projects across Michigan have earned honors from the American Concrete Pavement Association, National Asphalt Pavement Association, and Michigan Concrete Association, among others.


FAQs About Our Airport Paving Services

What are airport runways made of?

Airport runways in Michigan are built using either Portland cement concrete (PCCP) or hot mix asphalt (HMA), depending on the airport's traffic, aircraft weight, and budget. Concrete runways are typically specified for higher-traffic commercial airports because of their long service life and load-bearing capacity. Asphalt runways are common at regional and municipal airports and can be constructed and repaired more quickly. AJAX Paving works with airport authorities to select the pavement type and mix design that best fits each project's requirements.

How much does it cost to build an airport runway?

The cost of building an airport runway depends on its length, width, pavement type, subgrade conditions, and FAA specifications, so pricing varies significantly from project to project. A full-depth concrete runway reconstruction at a major commercial airport costs considerably more than an asphalt overlay at a small municipal field. Site conditions, drainage requirements, and lighting or electrical work also affect the total project cost. AJAX Paving provides detailed project estimates after reviewing an airport's specific design and construction needs.

How many runways do airports have?

The number of runways an airport has depends on its size, traffic volume, and geography, with large commercial airports like Detroit Metropolitan Airport operating multiple parallel and crosswind runways. Smaller regional and municipal airports in Michigan often operate with a single runway. Airport authorities determine runway configuration based on air traffic demand, prevailing wind patterns, and available land. AJAX Paving has worked on runway and taxiway projects at airports of all sizes across the state.

What goes into airport runway pavement design?

Airport runway pavement designs account for aircraft weight, traffic volume, subgrade soil conditions, drainage, and the FAA specifications that apply to the airport's classification. Engineers determine whether concrete or asphalt is the better fit and calculate the pavement thickness needed to support expected loads over the runway's design life. Drainage and grading are also built into the design to prevent water infiltration, which can shorten the pavement's lifespan. AJAX Paving works alongside airport authorities and their engineers throughout the design and construction process.

Does AJAX provide airport runway concrete repair in Michigan?

Yes, AJAX Paving provides airport runway concrete repair in Michigan for airports that need to extend the life of existing pavement rather than fully reconstruct it. This work can include joint repair, partial and full-depth slab replacement, and surface restoration. Repair projects are planned around an airport's operating schedule to limit disruption to flight activity. Contact us to discuss a repair or reconstruction project at your facility.


Ready to Build Michigan's Next Runway or Taxiway?

From Michigan DOT projects to municipal and regional airport authorities, AJAX Paving brings the experience, equipment, and FAA-compliant processes needed for airport-grade construction. Contact our Michigan team today to discuss your airport runway or taxiway paving project.

Ajax Is Ready to Fly

Tight timeframes. Specialized design. Demanding safety requirements. Repaving and reconstructing airport runways is one of the most challenging types of construction. Ajax Paving is one of the few contractors in the U.S. with the expertise and experience to handle these technically-sophisticated jobs.

Over the last 25 years, Ajax has placed more than 4.5 million cubic yards of concrete runways. Our expert crews, a fleet of advanced equipment, and precise concrete mix technology enable us to meet unique complexities, specifications, and qualifications required by aviation projects and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Contact Ajax Today