FEATURED_MEMBER: Grace Pacific LLC (Grace)

GENERAL_CONTRACTOR: Ralph S. Inouye Co. LTD

PROJECT: Farrington High School, Long Range Development Master Plan – Phase 1

LOCATION: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

CLIENT: State of Hawaii, Department of Education

In February 2015, a ground breaking ceremony for the renovation of the athletic field took place at Farrington High School (FHS). "A lot of our kids and their families, they bleed maroon and white. So for something like this to happen in their time, it's a big boon for our community," said FHS Principal Al Carganilla.

The project includes the demolition of the existing football field, running track and tennis courts, and construction of a new football field with synthetic turf, and a new 6-lane synthetic surface running track. Also included in the scope of work are new locker rooms, restrooms, office/storage rooms, bleachers, field lighting, scoreboards and ticket booths.

Grace’s role in the project included the paving of the running track and associated D-Zone in two lifts, as well as paving two parking areas. The bottom lift of the track and D-Zone received 2.0 inches of State Mix IV, with a top lift of 1.5-inches of State Mix V. Once Grace completed their paving, a 1/2-inch thick synthetic surfacing was installed on the track and D-Zone.

The 6-lane track was constructed with a new concrete curb along the outer perimeter, as well as a new concrete curb with integrated trench drain along the inner perimeter. The running track was paved with a maximum slope of 1.5% from the outer curb down to the inner curb, with the final surface flush with the top of the new concrete curbs.

Working within the tight layout space of the site was a challenge for the project. Trucks delivering hot asphalt were scheduled at staggered times to avoid congestion.

Grace also utilized a material transfer vehicle (MTV) to provide the smoothest surface possible. The use of an MTV served as a buffer between the paver and dump truck, eliminating potential problems of the truck bumping into the paver. Bumping of the paver typically results in bumps in the asphalt paved surface.

The other benefit of using a MTV was that it provided sufficient volume of asphalt mix to allow continuous paver operation. If the mix was delivered to the paver by truck, it is likely that the paver would stop while one truck leaves and the next truck backs up to deliver the next load. Any time the paver stops, it results in a bump in the finished asphalt paved surface.

The students of Farrington High School now have a brand-new running track and football field, where they can hold their practices and games at home.

"This is such a dream come true to be on this field. It’s like a dream come true," said senior Christian Acorda. "We've been waiting for this field to be done for like a while now, and we were really excited when we first got on it."

About Grace Pacific LLC (www.gracepacific.com)

John and Walter Grace founded Grace Brothers, Ltd. in 1931, providing specialized equipment and materials to Hawaii's construction industry. In 1973, the company entered the paving industry and since then has continued to diversify its construction services. The company’s current operations include aggregate and hot mix production, paving operations, precast / prestress concrete operations, and roadway safety products and services throughout the state.

Grace Pacific, perhaps best known for asphalt paving, has worked on many of the streets and highways throughout the State of Hawaii. Recent projects on Oahu include preventive maintenance work on Kamehameha and Nimitz Highways and innovative improvements on the Moanalua Freeway. On Maui, they resurfaced the Haleakala Crater Road and completed guardrail and shoulder improvements along Hana Highway. On the Big Island, Grace Pacific has worked on Saddle Road and been involved with numerous large projects on Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Mamalahoa Highway.

Reprinted courtesy of Hawaii Asphalt Paving Industry.