The world's busiest airport is home to 90 airlines and is widely considered the globe's air travel hub. And as any passenger will tell you, getting those planes on and off the runways at London's Heathrow airport quickly and safely is priority number one.

London-based project management giant AMEC is nearing completion on a series of taxi ways specifically designed to accommodate the new 550-seat A380 Airbus super jumbo. The world's largest passenger jet begins service to Heathrow in September.

"AMEC is utilizing our SuperScreed to widen both the eastern and western taxiways that feed Heathrow's two main runways," said Kevin Cassell, sales director at Multiquip-UK.

The US$175 million effort began in 2004 and Multiquip's SuperScreed is instrumental in paving the way for the double-decker A380 Airbus and other jetliners to get to and from the runways as smoothly as possible.

Heathrow, located about 20 miles from downtown London, houses airlines flying to more than 90 countries. The airport has four terminals with a fifth now under construction. It is the second major European transportation gateway to utilize the SuperScreed. The unit was used on the tarmac at Northern Ireland's Belfast City Airport in 2000 by White Mountain Construction. Cassell added AMEC is also planning to use it at London's Gatwick airport for on-going maintenance and repair work.

Multiquip's self-propelled roller screed, the SuperScreed, is ideal for paving applications including airport runways, highway rehabilitation and bridge decks. It features a sectional truss frame and several strike tube lengths that enable the unit to strike-off panels ranging in size from 12 to 50 feet (3.6 to 15 meters). The paver is flexible enough to perform on highway off-ramps and anywhere curved or tapered roadways make strike-off difficult.

AMEC is in the midst of major infrastructure projects at seven UK airports, including Heathrow. The company's current 10-year deal with airport operator BAA is worth US$1.2-$1.4 billion.