- June 14, 2024
- In the Media
Airport Improvement Features Punta Gorda Runway Reconstruction
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is an essential transportation hub for Southwest Florida. The airport’s main runway, Runway 4-22, recently underwent significant upgrades to better support aircraft traffic. Airport Improvement highlighted the partnership between Kimley-Horn, Wright Construction Group, and PGD’s operations staff, emphasizing our team’s crucial role in providing airport design, bidding, and construction administration services. Additionally, we assisted with the airport’s seven-day shutdown, allowing time to reconstruct the portion of Runway 4-22 that intersects with Runway 15-33—the airport’s only other runway that can support commercial jets.
To determine how to minimize disruptions to flight operations during the runway closure, our team, led by Project Manager Paul Piro, completed extensive preliminary planning with stakeholders. This multidisciplinary teamwork between airport authorities and engineering and construction professionals was integral to project success. The completed services included reconstructing and removing the runway’s center keel, installing blast pads, resurfacing and repaving with new asphalt, installing LED lighting, and painting new runway markings.
“The takeaway is the importance of collaboration between the airlines, the airport operator, the contractor, and the engineer ahead of the closure of both runways. It was critical that all parties were available and on site during that phase. Just being there during those late evening hours, when you’re working in the dark and anything is possible, added to the success of the project.”
About the Experts
Katie Horrnik, PE
With proven experience as an aviation project engineer, Katie has assisted with runway and taxiway rehabilitation projects and has led bid document production on greenfield taxiway and apron projects. She has experience with airside design, estimating, scheduling, phasing, and specifications—as well as technical experience in airside markings, pavement design, taxiway geometry, runway and taxiway grading, and edge lighting layout.
Ed Jimenez, PE
With a portfolio of construction and engineering work across a range of project types, Ed has experience with airfield geometric design, pavement design, airfield grading, pavement markings, and airspace permitting. His field construction experience has allowed him to skillfully translate complex engineering designs into practical, constructable applications. He has developed specializations in construction safety and phasing, construction administration, and technical specification preparation—particularly well-suited to his aviation project work. Complimenting Ed’s design and construction experience is his military background. He served two deployments in the United States Marine Corps (2008-2012), and his military experience further honed an innate attention to detail that he brings to all his work.
Paul Piro, PE
Paul has more than 40 years of engineering experience on aviation, municipal, industrial, and commercial projects. His roles have included the design and management of many asphalt runway rehabilitations, taxiway rehabilitations, and Engineering Material Arresting System replacements. As a project manager, Paul has coordinated many assignments requiring the disciplines of civil, architectural, MEP, structural, geotechnical, materials testing, survey, environmental, and electrical. With his civil engineering experience, Paul is also accomplished in design and contract document development, permitting, agency requirements, and more as part of major airport improvement projects.