The Birmingham Air Cargo 1 Warehouse project at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport aimed to revolutionize the efficiency of cargo handling operations. By creating a storage facility adjacent to the plane loading and unloading area, the project significantly reduced the need for transporting cargo across the airport grounds, streamlining operations and boosting productivity.

Scope of Work:

1. Site Clearing and Preparation:

We began by clearing the vegetation and underbrush from the site, which was previously used as a dumping ground for excess and unsuitable soils from other airport projects. This initial phase required meticulous attention to remove debris, rocks, and a mix of soil types, setting the stage for the main construction activities.

2. Soil Management:

The site presented significant challenges due to its history as a disposal area, containing a variety of soil compositions and debris. Our team expertly managed the removal and restockpiling of stockpiled dirt, undercutting unsuitable soils from failed areas, and stockpiling these materials for reuse. We then moisture conditioned the soil, meticulously removed rocks and debris and adjusting the moisture content to ensure optimal conditions for grading.

3. Grading and Earthwork:

Utilizing the conditioned on-site materials, we meticulously brought the entire site up to grade, moving over 85,000 Cubic Yards of material. This included preparing the building pad, airplane taxiway, parking lot, loading dock, and roadways, demonstrating our commitment to resourcefulness and sustainability by reusing available materials.

4. Dense Grade Base Installation:

To ensure a solid foundation, we hauled in and spread dense grade base gravel across the site, providing a durable and stable surface for the construction of the warehouse and surrounding infrastructure, bringing in over 3,000 tons of rock.

Challenges

This project was marked by its complexity due to poor soil conditions and less-than-ideal construction management by the project’s general contractor. Despite the presence of multiple trades working simultaneously and the logistical difficulties that arose from inadequate coordination, BTE rose to the challenge.

Solutions

Through our in-house management and meticulous planning, we effectively navigated these obstacles, collaborating closely with other subcontractors to keep the project on track. Our adaptability and problem-solving capabilities were key to ensuring the project’s success, completing it efficiently and meeting all client expectations.

Results

By leveraging our expertise in soil management and site preparation, Bostic Trucking and Excavating delivered a high-quality outcome for the Birmingham Air Cargo 1 Warehouse, setting a new standard for future projects at the airport.