Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport: Runway project officially launches

(Left) An excavator digs up dirt to commemorate the beginning of groundbreaking at the Pullman-Moscow Airport Monday, July 11. (Right) City officials, board members and public at-larges in the Pullman, Moscow, Whitman County and Latah County communities do their share in celebrating the beginning of the project at the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport by digging deep into the fields surrounding the runway.

Tony Bean, Airport director

Gazette intern reporter

The Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Monday to commence the construction for the runaway realignment program. The project, which is estimated to cost $119 million and be completed by 2019 with an operational runway by 2018, is going to increase the length and width of the current runway and taxiway from 6,700 feet in length and 100 feet in width to 7,100 feet in length and 150 feet in width.

“Currently, nothing can move on our taxiway when a large aircraft is landing,” said Tony Bean, executive director of the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport.

The airport does not meet current Federal Aviation Administration standards for the size of the aircraft that utilizes the airport. The construction will not just extend the runway, but will also improve the all-weather reliability for all users.

“We have to ensure the future transportation for the future of our region and the success of our universities,” said Chuck Staben, University of Idaho president. “We can't continue to have people rely on using this airport, and then have to last minute drive to Spokane due to weather issues.”

The timeline for the realignment project started in 2015 with the land acquisition and wetland mitigation near Colfax. Presently, the 2016 timeline is on track, with the airport creek box culvert already happening and earthwork (phase I), having taken place Tuesday, July 12.

The earthwork phase includes contractor for the project, M.A. DeAtley Contstruction, Inc. of Clarkston, relocating dirt so the earth will settle for the establishment of the runaway addition. Additionally in 2016, the project outlines completion of Highway 270 construction access and electric utility improvements underground and cable replacements.

In 2017, earthwork (phase II) will begin along with preliminary runway improvements, FAA ILS package procurement, applied storm drainage improvements as well as fencing and gate work.

In 2018, the hope is for the new runway to be completed and operational, as well as fencing and gate work (phase II), additional airfield storm drainage improvements, airport creek box culvert (phase II) and earthwork (phase III) to be completed. Finally, in 2019, there will be taxiway improvements to meet FAA standards, terminal area improvements, FAA deicing, earthwork (phase IV) and airfield storm drainage improvements (phase III).

“This process began in 1977, and we have been trying to do everything to operate an airport like large airports do, like Seattle or Denver,” said Bean. “We have a really good consultant on board and a great relationship with the FAA, which will hopefully make this project successful.”