The second year of the three-year Runway Rehabilitation Project started on May 17 with continued work on the north runway extensions. These extensions (which lengthen the runway from its current 8000 feet to a final length of 9825 feet) are needed before the south runway temporarily closes in 2011 for a complete rehabilitation.

This year’s work on the north runway is broken up into three stages: The first stage concluded August 2 during which the crosswind and north runways were temporarily shortened to provide a safe work area for the contractor. During this phase, a portion of the north runway was available which benefited the community because fewer aircraft had to use the more noise-sensitive crosswind runway.

The second stage began on August 3 and will run until early October during which the entire north runway must be closed to aircraft takeoffs and landings. During this phase, the crosswind runway will be open and have higher than normal use. The final phase for the 2010 construction year will begin mid-September and run until mid-October during which a portion of the north runway is expected to be open (thereby reducing the use of the crosswind runway and subsequent community noise impacts).

Due to the partial and full closures of the north runway, neighbors of PDX may notice a change in flight operations or noise as the crosswind runway is used more than usual. In order to reduce the effect on PDX neighbors, the Port has worked with the FAA to restrict the usage of jet traffic and to limit late night operations on the crosswind runway except when conditions require its use.