Project overview
Associated Asphalt was appointed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to deliver urgent repair works to the Alpha Loop Taxiway at Mount Pleasant Airfield in the Falkland Islands. The existing concrete pavement had deteriorated due to Alkali Silica Reaction and required timely intervention to maintain safe airfield operations.
The remote location and operational sensitivity of the airfield required a carefully planned, self-sufficient approach capable of delivering assured quality, reliability and performance in challenging conditions.
The challenge
The project presented a unique set of constraints:
- Severe weather conditions, including high winds that restricted safe working windows
- No existing asphalt production capability on the island
- Long supply chains with limited opportunity for replacement plant or materials
- Strict airfield safety requirements, including FOD control and coordination with air traffic operations
Maintaining programme certainty while managing operational risk was critical.
Our approach
A fully self-contained delivery model was developed, drawing on experience of complex airfield works in remote and live operational environments.
Two vessel shipments were coordinated from the UK to transport a mobile asphalt plant, specialist surfacing equipment and materials. This enabled on-island production and full control over quality and programme delivery.
Where adverse weather affected progress, programmes were adapted and weekend working introduced to recover time without compromising safety or performance.
Scope of works
The scope included:
- Transportation, erection and dismantling of a mobile RS 2000 asphalt plant
- Establishment of an on-site laboratory for immediate material testing and approvals
- Design, trial and production of bespoke SMA airfield mixes
- Planing of the existing concrete taxiway to depths of up to 200mm
- Installation of asphalt reinforcement grid systems
- Laying of SMA binder and surface courses using polymer-modified binders
- Continuous liaison with air traffic control
- Rigorous site cleaning and FOD management
Approximately 6,000 tonnes of bespoke SMA material were produced and installed, using locally sourced aggregates where available, with bitumen and filler shipped from the UK.
Sustainability and social value
Sustainability was embedded throughout delivery:
- Low-temperature SMA production reduced energy use and carbon emissions
- Zero waste to landfill on island, with surplus material returned to the UK
- Reuse of planings for future client use
- Local sourcing of aggregates, transport and services where possible
- Environmental controls including dust suppression, spill prevention and reuse of existing compounds
All plant met current emissions standards, supporting responsible delivery in a sensitive environment.
Outcome
The Alpha Loop Taxiway was successfully resurfaced and returned to service, restoring safe and reliable operation for all aircraft types.
Through careful planning, bespoke materials and disciplined execution, Associated Asphalt delivered a complex airfield scheme in one of the most logistically challenging locations in the world, demonstrating resilience, technical capability and assured delivery.