Overnight closures are expected to start in mid June as work begins to renovate the runway at the Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan. The Arizona Department of Transportation held an on line community meeting to outline the project and answer any questions. Starting June 15th the airport runway will be closed five nights a week.

Then on July 14th the airport will close completely and reopen on August 11th in what ADOT calls Phase One of the construction. During this time, no aircraft operations will take place and there will be no airfield access for airport tenants.  Helicopter operations will be permitted on the north end of the airfield.

Phase Two will see the airport runway close nightly from September 10th through the 29th. 

This project will not extend or widen the runway, and one taxiway will be eliminated. The project will simply resurface the runway as well as taxiways. The last major rehab project for the airport was in 2003.

ADOT admits this will impact the local economy.

During the forum one of the participants asked why is ADOT closing the airport during the height of the tourist season. ADOT said it’s necessary because warmer temperatures are needed not only for construction but also to ensure the new pavement cures properly.

During these closures, ADOT suggests air traffic be rerouted to either the Flagstaff of Valle airports.

95% of the project’s $13 million budget is being funded by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Follow this link for project updates.