Their recommendation will be reviewed by the Board of Pitkin County Commissioners
ASPEN, COLO. (March 22, 2024) - On Thursday, a majority of the Airport Advisory Board (AAB) voted to recommend the Board of Pitkin County Commissioners (BOCC) consider a revised alternative to an update of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE). The AAB is a citizen board appointed by the BOCC that provides advice to the commissioners on airport matters. An ALP is a map of potential future development at the airport and is needed to ensure the airport is eligible to receive federal funding. The latest iteration of an updated ALP, the “Alternative Common Ground Recommendation” ALP, considers adjustments to an ALP county and airport staff presented to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on January 29. The adjustments include:
- A shift of the runway 80 feet west, which will eliminate the need for a costly, county-funded relocated air traffic control tower
- An extension of the planned west-side taxiway to the south to reduce runway crossings
- A shift of a “stub” taxiway to eliminate midfield crossings within a high-energy area on the airfield
“The ‘Alternative Common Ground Recommendation’ ALP addresses the community’s core goals in the exact same way that the ‘Common Ground Recommendation’ ALP, or original update of the ALP, did. The alternative plan accommodates all of the Common Ground Recommendations with the exception of, leaving the runway where it is,” said Brad Jacobsen co-founder of Jacobsen|Daniels, the aviation consultant working on the update of the ALP.
The Common Ground Recommendations are foundational in this process. The recommendations are centered around a set of core community goals – safety, pollutant reduction, airline enplanement management, and noise curtailment.
Shifting the runway
Shifting the runway’s centerline 80 feet to the west, rather than shifting the taxiway east 80 feet, as outlined in the original Common Ground Recommendations ALP update, 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 over $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 runway 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 known when the community settled on its aspirations, which included shifting the taxiway instead of the runway.
“Mostly I’m concerned about the condition of the runway. If it fails to the point where it’s not operable and we haven’t taken action, the airport will close. I think that would be devastating to this community,” said Mike Solondz, member of the AAB.
Funding is a factor
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. Right now, ASE operates with several FAA exceptions known as Modifications of Standards. The airport must comply with the FAA’s requirements 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 moves the airport closer to being able to access FAA money, and this is critically important. One of the biggest things the community can do to be green is to build a world-class terminal. It’s an amazing opportunity to build a model for the world and educate passengers who move through the terminal,” said Auden Schendler, member of the AAB.
The final vote from the Airport Advisory Board recommending the plan be sent to the BOCC for review and approval passed six-to-one.
Media contact: Marci Suazo, Pitkin County communications manager, marci.suazo@pitkincounty.com, (970) 309-2343
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