Case Study: Jas. W. Glover, Ltd. achieves on-time Reef Runway reconstruction and superior smoothness with Trimble 3D Milling and 3D Paving Technology

Reef Runway Reconstructed with Trimble 3D Milling and 3D Paving Technology

Jas. W. Glover, Ltd., a Hawai‘i-based general contractor founded in 1935, was awarded the first major reconstruction in 36 years of the 12,000‑ft Reef Runway at Honolulu International Airport. The project posed tight constraints: three phased windows with 15‑day limits per section under heavy FAA/HDOT liquidated-damage clauses, complex variable depths and slopes, strict smoothness and elevation tolerances, tight material-yield targets, and the need to minimize flight disruptions.

Glover deployed Trimble 3D milling and paving (PCS900), SPS930 total stations and rovers, and Trimble Business Center 3D models, training crews beforehand and operating two 12.5' 3D mills and two 25' 3D pavers with leapfrogging total stations to eliminate stringlines. The result: each phase met its 15‑day deadline (overall paving finished two days early), zero regrinds, met the ±¼" elevation tolerance (half‑inch total), used 92,469 tons of asphalt (slightly under estimate), achieved up to 5,000 tons laid per night, and realized significant time, fuel and survey savings while avoiding costly penalties.

Jas. W. Glover

Gregg Nathaniel

Superintendent