Our Caribbean Airports’ team has recently completed the installation of temporary runway markings on the newly surfaced pavement at VC Bird International Airport in Antigua as part of an ongoing runway rehabilitation programme.
While temporary markings are often viewed simply as an interim requirement, they play an important role in maintaining operational continuity between major phases of airfield works. In this case, the temporary marking installation allows the newly surfaced runway to remain operational while subsequent grooving works are carried out before the final permanent markings are applied.
For airport operators and airfield maintenance teams, this staged approach represents best practice in balancing infrastructure upgrades with operational requirements.
A question frequently raised during resurfacing programmes is why permanent markings are not applied immediately after paving.
Installing permanent markings prior to grooving would inevitably result in sections of the marking being cut, damaged or partially removed during the grooving process. This can affect both marking integrity and long-term performance, while also creating unnecessary rework.
Instead, temporary markings are used to maintain operational compliance until the runway surface reaches its final configuration.
Once grooving is complete, permanent markings can then be installed across the finished pavement, ensuring:
This approach ensures that the marking system is installed onto the final operational surface rather than an intermediate construction phase.
Projects such as VC Bird International Airport highlight the importance of coordinated specialist delivery across multiple airfield disciplines.
Our grooving and marking teams work to tightly managed programmes while maintaining operational readiness and minimising disruption to airport operations.
Learn more about our work on airfields and runways around the world at Roadgrip Airports or contact our team for a quick and professional quote.
