FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, ORE. (Sept. 4, 2008) – Port Begins Environmental Study for Proposed New Runway at Hillsboro Airport

Port of Portland is beginning an Environmental Assessment of a proposed new runway, which would run parallel to the existing main runway, at Hillsboro Airport. Learn more about the project from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 in the auditorium of the Hillsboro Civic Center at 150 E. Main Street in Hillsboro.

The 2005 Hillsboro Airport Master Plan calls for the construction of an additional runway at the airport dedicated exclusively to small general aviation aircraft.  Currently, take-offs and landings of aircraft—referred to as operations—at Hillsboro Airport are near capacity; continued growth is expected in the upcoming years. 

The proposed parallel runway will allow small single- and multi-engine aircraft to take-off and land while existing business and corporate jet aircraft use the current longer and wider runway.  Simultaneous arrivals and departures would reduce wait times both on the ground and in the air as planes queue up to land. 

The Environmental Assessment for the parallel runway project is expected to take 18 months. The project will also analyze the impacts of the relocation of the airport’s helicopter landing pad.  This pad is currently located in the area of the proposed parallel runway.

The Environmental Assessment will follow National Environmental Policy Act requirements in considering environmental impacts and runway alternatives. The project offers numerous opportunities for input from community members and interested parties. 

The City of Hillsboro Civic Center is in downtown Hillsboro; the site is wheelchair accessible and located just off the TriMet MAX Blue Line Hatfield Government Center station.

Hillsboro Airport has more than 230,000 operations annually and is the state’s second busiest airport.  The facility supports jet, propeller aircraft, and helicopter operations.