The Roadgrip Airports team has returned once again to Santiago Airport (Cibao International) in the Dominican Republic – a site that’s been part of our story for over twenty years.
Back in the early 2000s, we microsurfaced the entire runway and its shoulders, laying the foundation for a safe, high-performance airfield surface that has served the airport’s growing passenger and cargo operations ever since. Over the years, we’ve been back several times to carry out maintenance, ensuring the runway continues to meet international safety standards and that airside operations remain smooth and uninterrupted.
On this latest visit, our focus was on rubber removal and marking removal as part of a runway reconfiguration project. Using ultra-high-pressure (UHP) water jetting, we removed the heavy rubber build-up that naturally accumulates in aircraft touchdown zones.
Each time an aircraft lands, the friction and heat generated cause small amounts of rubber to bond tightly to the surface. Over time, this layer reduces the texture of the asphalt, making it less effective at dispersing water, which can increase the risk of hydroplaning.
Our UHP system removes this rubber efficiently without damaging the asphalt below, restoring the surface’s microtexture and friction levels for safe braking and take-off performance. We also removed some of the existing runway markings in preparation for configuration.
To carry out work across the Caribbean efficiently, we containerise our specialist equipment, including our UHP water blasting machines and support vehicles, allowing us to ship the full fleet between islands. This approach gives us the flexibility to respond quickly to client needs while maintaining the same quality, precision, and safety standards we deliver worldwide.
After two decades of partnership, it’s rewarding to see the runway we first surfaced still performing well, and to continue playing a role in keeping Santiago Airport safe.
Contact our UK head office to discuss your airfield maintenance requirements.
