MAC Facts: MSP Construction

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) airfield has over 7 miles of runway and 25 miles of taxiway. Maintaining and updating the MSP airfield so that airfield infrastructure (i.e., runways, taxiways, aircraft parking surfaces, etc.) are safe for aircraft take offs and landings is an ongoing process throughout the year and requires coordination of regularly-scheduled construction and/or maintenance tasks that involve pavement, painting, electrical work, signage, navigational aids, and area protection barriers. People residing in areas around MSP may notice unusual sounds, lights or aircraft activity while construction and maintenance activities are occurring.

Construction and maintenance projects on the airfield at MSP may impact typical runway use. Airfield construction and/or maintenance may require closing one or more runways at MSP temporarily, even when the activity is not occurring on the runway. Additionally, construction activities can impact how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assigns aircraft to open runways.

This summer, airfield taxiway reconstruction work will continue. The project area includes Taxiway A between Taxiway A3 and Taxiway A4 and Taxiway B between gates G12 and G15. The project will require closures of some G Concourse Gates and some aircraft limitations at other G Concourse Gates.

Additionally, work will continue on the runway safety area near Runway 17/35. A runway safety area is the area adjacent to a runway that is prepared and suitable for reducing the risk of damage to airplanes in the event of an aircraft excursion from the runway. The safety area must be maintained so that it is clear of debris, drained and graded and able to support aircraft, snow removal equipment and aircraft rescue and firefighting operations. The work for this project is intended to restore runway safety area slopes to FAA specifications. This work is expected to be completed in one six-week period. To ensure the safety of the construction crews and aircraft, Runway 17/35 will be closed during the project. This project is expected to begin the day after Labor Day.

Anyone with questions regarding airfield or aircraft noise and/or runway closures due to construction may call the Community Relations Office at 612-726-9411.