New iteration keeps community climate and safety aspirations and includes runway shift
ASPEN, COLO. (March 13, 2024) - County elected and appointed officials have directed Pitkin County staff members to craft a revised alternative of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE). On Tuesday, March 12, the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and AAB requested the alternative ALP consider a shift of the runway at ASE rather than a shift of the taxiway. The latter was included in an original update of the ALP – a process that has been ongoing. The alternative, which hasn't received a vote, will be discussed further at the next Airport Advisory Board (AAB) meeting. In an amended iteration, the county would continue to work to include all other community aspirations, known as the Common Ground Recommendations. These recommendations are centered around a set of core goals developed by the community and adopted by the BOCC in 2020.
“Everything we’re doing is directed at these goals – safety, in the air and on the ground; reducing greenhouse gasses and other pollutants; managing growth of airline enplanements; and reducing noise by at least 30 percent,” said Jon Peacock, Pitkin County manager.
Shifting the runway’s centerline 80 feet to the west, rather than the taxiway, would address aging airfield pavement faster; eliminate the county’s obligation to fund an expensive relocation and reconstruction of the airport’s air traffic control tower; and address additional airfield concerns from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA at a meeting in January told county and airport staff members a new air traffic control tower, estimated to be at least 100 feet high and cost $100 million, would be required if a taxiway shift took place because such a shift would dislocate the existing tower. In addition, the airport’s airfield pavement is rapidly deteriorating and needs complete reconstruction – a significant project that would require a major closure of the airport. The serious condition of the runway wasn’t a factor when the community settled on its aspirations, which included shifting the taxiway instead of the runway.
“The processes the community went through are not for naught. We’re incorporating the positive efforts of the community’s work into a revised version that includes a shift to the runway. It wouldn’t be the same old ALP that was approved; it would be a revised version that considers a major fix to airfield pavement. This adjustment reflects changes in conditions that we didn’t anticipate during earlier community visioning,” said Patti Clapper, Pitkin County Commissioner.
“Given the new information, especially concerning the deterioration of the runway, I feel this shift aligns with the Common Ground Recommendations,” said Jacque Francis, chair of the AAB.
A shift on the airfield is needed to create more separation (400 feet) between the runway and taxiway – a safety standard the FAA is requiring for ASE to become a Design Group III airport. Right now, ASE operates with several FAA exceptions known as Modifications of Standards. The airport must comply with the FAA’s requirements in order to make good on past Grant Assurance Obligations and to receive future funding from the federal government, which is needed to pay for major planned projects such as the reconstruction of the airfield and a new terminal. Elected officials and the airport must move quickly in gaining local and federal approvals for an updated ALP to be able to apply for funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the nation’s largest-ever federal investment in public infrastructure.
This amended ALP – which includes the runway shift – will be reviewed at the next Airport Advisory Board meeting on March 21, which is hybrid, open to the public, and includes public comment periods. Closer to the meeting date, an agenda will be posted on pitkincounty.com.
Media contact: Marci Suazo, Pitkin County communications manager, marci.suazo@pitkincounty.com, (970) 309-2343
The Airport Advisory Board is a citizen board appointed by the Board of Pitkin County Commissioners (BOCC) that provides advice to the BOCC on airport matters.