Newark Liberty International Airport, Runway 4R-22L Rehabilitation

Burns conducted electrical design for primary runway, overseeing temporary and permanent lighting system construction. Project improved airfield durability and resiliency to extreme weather.

Runway 4R-22L handles nearly half the flight activity at Newark Liberty (EWR), one of the country’s busiest airports. A decade after the previous rehabilitation, the runway showed signs of significant surface deterioration, prompting the need to mill and repave the asphalt surface.

Burns served as the prime electrical engineer on the $84.2 million capital project, leading electrical design for replacement of the airfield’s ground lighting equipment, signage and circuits. Designs involved converting to lower-maintenance and higher-efficiency LED fixtures as well as installing new constant current regulators (CCR) properly sized for reduced circuit loads.

To accomplish the construction with minimal impacts to airport operations, Burns divided the project into a two-phased construction schedule.  A temporary runway was put in place during a 35-day closure of critical intersections RW 11-29 and RW 4R-22L, allowing the airport to operate near full capability.

Pre-purchasing materials ultimately shortened the project schedule by several months and helped to avoid risks of project impact on air travel. The runway-closure portion completed in October 2021, five days ahead of schedule.

Previous PANYNJ airfield projects include Runway 13R-31L Reconstruction at JFK International Airport.

Burns offers the largest group of dedicated airfield ground lighting and navigation systems experts in the country.