ALASKA PROJECTS
EVERGREEN AVENUE
GALENA AIRPORT
KINCAID ESTATES
MOBILITY TEST COMPLEX
WHITE'S CROSSING
NW PROJECTS
CAMPUS GLEN
LUNDEEN PARKWAY
NORMAN BRIDGE
SR20 FALL CREEK
SR166 SLIDE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project - Galena Airport Improvement Project
Project Name: Galena Airport Improvement Project Improvements
Location: Galena, AK
Client: Alaska DOT
Schedule: October 20th 2003 to October 22nd 2004

The Project:
As one might expect, the Yukon River runs cold in winter. When Wilder was awarded the job to construct and pave a 4000' runway and 2 access roads for the Galena Airport, we had to think about transporting supplies and equipment by barge. Wilder also had to mine and extract a gravel source from the nearest location, which was the river - in winter.

Challenges and Highlights:
Wilder faced three major challenges during the course of this project. The first was moving equipment and supplies by barge. Due to the isolated location and critical nature of the timing involved with the project, Wild needed to orchestrate each barge operation 3 weeks in advance. Another challenge lay in the Yukon River gravel source. It yielded rock that was difficult to crush - 30,400 tons worth of D-1 and 14,400 tons of hot rock. Additionally, Wilder dealt with modified oil in square blocks that proved to be a logistical juggling act. The rubberized oil necessary for the runway needed to be heated to 350 degrees before it turned to liquid. It was difficult getting the oil to temperature due to the biting winds. Consequently the oil needed to be heated in a warehouse where keeping a consistent supply was a constant challenge.

Through all the cold, Wilder completed a successful, safe and profitable job.
 
 
 
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