The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is moving forward with reconstructing runway 16/34 to a 3,300′ length in Seward, replacing the damaged main runway 13/31, which has been compromised by repeated flooding events.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) signed the final environmental document this month, allowing the department to move forward with the estimated $20 – $30 million project, concluding five years of environmental and design work. The project will likely go to construction in 2021.
The project will shift, lengthen, and raise Runway 16/34 above the 100-year flood level. Some taxiways will be raised at the new runway intersection to meet the new runway elevation, while others will be closed in accordance with FAA regulations. New runway and taxiway lighting will be installed. The river side of the runway will receive erosion protection to prevent damage from flooding. The aprons will be repaved, and new navigation aids will be installed. The main runway (13/31) and Taxiway A will be closed permanently. The design calls for airport fencing to ensure safety by preventing airport incursions.
The proposed runway will be capable of supporting the King Air 200, which is the aircraft commonly utilized for medical evacuations.