Geotechnical, Materials Testing, and Inspections for John Wayne Airport Taxiway Reconstruction
Key Information
Project Name: John Wayne Airport Taxiway A, D, and E Reconstruction
Provided by: Ninyo & Moore, A SOCOTEC Company
Client: John Wayne Airport
Location: 18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana, California, 92707
Services Provided: Construction Services including, Geotechnical Testing, Materials Testing, Special Inspection
Highlights: Will deliver specialized geotechnical testing, materials testing, and special inspection services for the largest airfield reconstruction project in Ninyo & Moore’s history—supporting critical FAA-mandated safety improvements and long-term performance at one of California’s busiest airports.
Talk to our experts
The Challenge
Modernizing Airfield Infrastructure at a Major Commercial Airport
Located in Orange County, California, John Wayne Airport is a key regional transportation hub serving millions of passengers annually. The Taxiway A, D, and E Reconstruction project is a major infrastructure initiative that aims at modernizing critical airfield systems that were originally constructed over 30 years ago.
The project’s scope includes the complete reconstruction and realignment of Taxiways A, D, and E, relocation of the vehicle service road (VSR), with new high-performance concrete pavement systems, upgraded lighting and signage, and other airfield improvements—all under strict Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety and operational requirements. The project, spanning approximately 950 calendar days, is scheduled to be executed in seven major phases and numerous subphases.
The challenge will lie in delivering high-precision geotechnical and materials testing services on an active commercial airfield, with more than ninety-nine percent of the runway work to be scheduled overnight to avoid disruption to airport operations. The scale, complexity, and scheduling demands will require close coordination and technical excellence across multiple disciplines.
Located in Orange County, California, John Wayne Airport is a key regional transportation hub serving millions of passengers annually. The Taxiway A, D, and E Reconstruction project is a major infrastructure initiative that aims at modernizing critical airfield systems that were originally constructed over 30 years ago.
The project’s scope includes the complete reconstruction and realignment of Taxiways A, D, and E, relocation of the vehicle service road (VSR), with new high-performance concrete pavement systems, upgraded lighting and signage, and other airfield improvements—all under strict Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety and operational requirements. The project, spanning approximately 950 calendar days, is scheduled to be executed in seven major phases and numerous subphases.
The challenge will lie in delivering high-precision geotechnical and materials testing services on an active commercial airfield, with more than ninety-nine percent of the runway work to be scheduled overnight to avoid disruption to airport operations. The scale, complexity, and scheduling demands will require close coordination and technical excellence across multiple disciplines.
The Solution
To support this critical infrastructure upgrade, Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, will provide a full range of services tailored to the demanding specifications and phasing of the airport construction environment:
The Results
Enabling Long-Term Performance at a High-Use Airport
The John Wayne Airport Taxiway Reconstruction project is expected to represent a benchmark in airfield modernization and safety compliance. With support from Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company's technical expertise and operational reliability, the project will:
- Meet FAA regulations and quality assurance requirements across seven major phases.
- Upgrade approximately 3,550 linear feet of taxiways and more than 3,200 feet of vehicle service road.
- Improve airfield functionality through high-performance pavement, improved drainage, and upgraded lighting and signage.
- Deliver services with minimal impact to airport operations through nighttime scheduling and streamlined field coordination.
- Support long-term pavement durability with a long service life. By providing dependable geotechnical and construction testing services, Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company will continue to play a key role in one of California’s most visible and essential transportation infrastructure projects.
Partnering to Advance Critical Infrastructure
At SOCOTEC, we are proud to support the transformation of vital transportation systems through trusted technical expertise and responsive service. The John Wayne Airport project exemplifies our commitment to quality, collaboration, and innovation in complex environments.
As airport, transit, and public infrastructure systems across the U.S. face growing demands for modernization and performance, SOCOTEC remains a reliable partner to agencies, contractors, and engineering teams—providing integrated solutions that move essential projects forward.
