Oregon Public Broadcasting

There are two primary runways at the Portland International Airport and one of those will be closed to airplanes this Friday and won’t re-open until October.

During this time, the Port of Portland is extending the 8000 foot north runway by more than 1800 feet. 

“The reason we’re extending the north runway is because we need to completely rehabilitate the south runway in 2011,” says Steve Johnson, a Port of Portland spokesman.  “And the north runway is currently not long enough to serve all of our largest aircraft when the longer south runway closes for repairs in 2011.”

Johnson says the airport will remain fully operational during the construction projects, even during the typically crowded early morning departure and evening arrival periods.

“It’s gonna be relatively congested but based on the modeling, we don’t anticipate any delays at this point in time,” says Johnson.  “We think that airlines may choose to make some adjustments in their schedules after the closure.”

The closure of the north runway means more prop powered airplanes will be using the airport’s crosswind runway, which could make it noisier for those living near the airport.

“Our neighbors to the north and south of the airport will experience more noise during the project,” says Johnson.

The Port sent out more than 70,000 postcards to residents near the airport to explain the upcoming projects.

Another closure of the north runway is planned from May to October of next year.

The cost of the north runway extension is expected to be $63.5 million.  The Port is anticipating a $50 million grant from the FAA for the project.

The Portland International Airport had a record 15 million passengers last year. 

However, the Port is expecting a 12-percent decline in passengers this year.  Johnson says this is probably due to the economy and both businesses and vacationers cutting back on air travel.

Online:

North Runway Extension Project