Granite Earns IPI Partnering Award for Excellence on LAX North Airfield Exit Taxiways Project
Granite has been awarded the prestigious International Partnering Institute (IPI) Partnering Award in the category of Civil Construction Projects ($25 million–$250 million) for its exceptional work on the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) North Airfield Exit Taxiways (NAET) Project. The award honors the outstanding collaboration among project stakeholders and recognizes the project’s significant impact on improving one of the world’s busiest airports.
The LAX NAET Project was delivered in close partnership with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), HNTB, Padcom DCM, and Construction Accelerator. This multi-entity collaboration played a vital role in enhancing airfield efficiency, improving safety, and optimizing overall airport operations. The scope of work included the construction of four new high-speed exit taxiways on Runway 6L-24R—an essential enhancement for reducing runway occupancy times and increasing aircraft movement efficiency. The project also involved the rehabilitation of hot mix asphalt (HMA) surfacing and the complete reconstruction of a 19-inch Portland cement concrete (PCC) keel section on Runway 6R-24L, a heavily trafficked portion of the airfield that required significant structural durability.
In addition, the project required the decommissioning of two aging taxiways, Y and Z, ensuring that LAX’s airfield configuration met future operational needs and complied with updated FAA design standards. Despite the complexity of these tasks, the entire project was executed without interrupting daily airport operations—an impressive feat at such a high-volume international hub.
A cornerstone of the project’s success was the team’s commitment to a collaborative and transparent partnering approach. Through weekly cross-functional workshops and the strategic use of real-time digital collaboration platforms, all stakeholders maintained alignment, addressed challenges proactively, and kept communication flowing efficiently. This integrated approach not only enhanced decision-making but also fostered a culture of trust and accountability across the board.
The results speak volumes: the project was completed 22 days ahead of schedule and generated an impressive $9.7 million in cost savings. These achievements reflect not only operational excellence but also the power of genuine collaboration and strategic partnering.
Granite’s recognition by the IPI highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation, teamwork, and high-performance delivery on large-scale infrastructure projects. The NAET Project stands as a model of what can be accomplished when dedicated professionals unite around a common goal—delivering transformative infrastructure that supports the evolving needs of our communities.
