2024 hasn’t even started yet but one of the busiest airports in California is already warning that upwards of 1/3 of its flights are going to be subject to delays of upwards of an hour, due to a large scale improvement project of one of its longest runways and two of its connecting taxiways.
San Francisco International Airport recently announced it plans to close one of its longest runways for an improvement project. The project is currently scheduled to begin on January 16, 2024.
PC: SFO
The improvement project on Runway 28 Left will realign two taxiways, named “Delta” and “Tango,” that aircraft use to exit Runways 28L and 28R. The plan is for the two existing taxiways to be removed and reconstructed as separate, non-intersecting taxiways. This is expected to improve safety and bring the layout of the taxiways up to the most recent standards.
Unfortunately, the project is expected to cause large-scale delays for several months. From SFO:
Under normal conditions during this runway closure, SFO will operate all arriving flights on Runway 28 Right. Because the closure will reduce the Airport’s overall runway capacity, SFO advises travelers that delays are possible during the closure period. SFO is working with airlines and the FAA to adjust flight schedules to minimize delays. From January through April, SFO anticipates approximately one-third of flights may experience delays from 30-60 minutes, particularly during peak demand periods. Both domestic and international flights may be affected by this activity. Airlines are currently reviewing schedule adjustments during the final months of May and June.
The project, which is expected to cost approximately $55 million, is being federally funded. The contract for construction was awarded to Golden Gate Constructors.
Feature Image (cropped): SFO/Facebook
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