Airport Master Plan 2012 - City of Waterville

individual aircraft currently use or are forecast to use the airport at a level of 500 operations per year.
However, these heavier aircraft represent a group of corporate aircraft that should be considered in future
pavement design for Runway 5-23 and associated taxiways. Anecdotal evidence suggests that limited
operations of heavier aircraft can operate without damage or a significant reduction in the pavement’s
service life. Nevertheless, the city should continue to monitor the frequency of heavier aircraft and
consider pavement strengthening in future projects.
Beyond strength requirements, the presence of frost susceptible soils at WVL also needs consideration in
future pavement designs. Differential frost heaving of Runway 5-23, which is evident just north of the
runway-runway intersection, will need to be addressed and corrected.
The inspection of Runway 14-32 conducted under the facilities inventory revealed that the asphalt
pavement has extensively deteriorated over time to the extent that the runway has become virtually
dysfunctional. The presence of rutting along with the high frequency alligator cracking also indicates that
the structural base of the pavement may be inadequate. The thickness of the pavement section and/or the
quality of the materials used may be insufficient to accommodate the loadings imposed on the runway. A
more comprehensive pavement evaluation would be completed as part of a future design effort prior to
reconstruction of Runway 14-32.
As previously discussed, the future ARC for Runway 14-32 is expected to be limited to B-I due to
constraints on the runway length. Most aircraft in the B-I category typically weigh less than 12,500
pounds, therefore requiring no change in the current pavement strength rating. However the potential
weight of loaded snow plow trucks on this runway will likely govern the pavement strength design for a
future Runway 14-32 upgrade.
With regard to taxiway pavements, the newest taxiway to be reconstructed is designated “D” and was
completed in 2007. The pavements of Taxiways “A”, “B”, “C”, “G”, and “H” remain in generally fair to
good condition at the present time but have aged to the extent that they require regular maintenance and
periodic repairs to keep them safe and functional. Future reconstruction of these taxiways should be
designed with strength capacities of the respective design aircraft, with consideration to the existing frost
susceptible subgrade conditions on the airfield as well as the weight of snow removal equipment expected
to maintain these pavement surfaces.
The terminal area pavement was reconstructed in 2007 and is in excellent condition. However the area
within 60 feet of the front of the terminal aircraft hangar was not reconstructed and exhibits extensive
cracking. Therefore reconstruction of this pavement is recommended during the planning period.
Pavement Markings
Pavement markings need to be repainted on Runway 5-23 to increase conspicuity and conformity with
current FAA advisory circular 150/5340-1J standards. Runway holding position markings, with the
exception of those on TW “D”, need to be repainted with 12-inch wide lines in conformance with current
standards.
The markings on Runway 14-32 are very faded while markings on the north ramp are almost nonexistent.
Other markings on the parallel taxiway system were functional at the time of the inspection.
Markings on Taxiway “D” in the terminal area were installed new in 2007. Adding precision or nonprecision
approach capability to either runway will require improving the current markings accordingly.
The City of Waterville Maine
Facility Requirements – Page 3-6
Airport Solutions Group, LLC & The Louis Berger Group, Inc. December 2011