San Antonio International Airport is gearing up for a facelift on Runway 13R-31L, with a pavement rehabilitation construction project aimed at repairing and extending the runway's life. Funded partly by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its Airport Improvement Program (AIP), the initiative will replace concrete pavement, retrofit the electrical lighting with LED technology, and refresh pavement markings. According to a statement obtained by the City of San Antonio's official website, the work is set to begin on January 12 and will render Runway 13R-31L closed through March 6.
To ensure this work is done safely and without a hitch, a full closure of the runway will be effected, providing construction crews with uninhibited access and avoiding potential delays that could disrupt operations. While being necessary to perform these improvements, starting January 12, aircraft will only be using Runway 4/22, which will result in altered air traffic patterns over resident's homes to the airport's northeast and southwest during the construction period.
Community members and travelers have been briefed on the upcoming construction and the temporary shift in air traffic patterns. These careful arrangements help minimize disruptions while allowing the improvement works to proceed full steam ahead.
"These improvements are essential to maintaining a safe and reliable airfield for our airlines, our partners and our region," told Tim O’Krongley, Deputy Aviation Director, to City of San Antonio official website. The airport management is reaching out to the community for patience as these crucial updates take place, promising "safer and more efficient airfield operations for years to come."
