Location: Key West, FL
Sector: Public
Project Type: Infrastructure - Airports
The Challenge
Modernizing Key West International Airport’s Terminal A required balancing ambitious construction goals with the daily demands of a live airport. Aircraft aprons had to be fully operational each morning, leaving minimal room for error. Achieving the required early-strength concrete performance on a compressed timeline, without compromising workability or structural integrity, posed a significant technical and logistical challenge.
Our Approach
DMA partnered closely with the construction team to design and validate a specialized concrete mix capable of meeting early-age compressive and flexural strength targets. Trial batches underwent rigorous laboratory testing, while field technicians monitored aggregate, slump, air content, and temperature on-site to ensure compliance with project specifications. To accelerate decision-making, DMA established a certified laboratory mere minutes from the site, delivering actionable results within hours of each concrete pour. This combination of on-site oversight, rapid lab testing, and proactive collaboration allowed the team to anticipate challenges and make informed, timely decisions for apron readiness each morning.
The Outcome
Through DMA’s integrated approach, the project maintained its accelerated schedule while meeting all operational requirements. Aircraft operations proceeded without interruption, and the 48,000-square-foot Terminal A and concourse opened seamlessly, featuring enhanced passenger amenities and all-glass jet bridges. By transforming inspection and testing into a strategic advantage, DMA enabled the construction team to build with confidence, precision, and efficiency, demonstrating the value of proactive partnership in high-stakes infrastructure projects.