San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has reopened Runway 28L a week ahead of schedule after completing the fresh new asphalt pavement surface for the second-longest runway at the site.
The rehabilitation work included the installation of new long-lasting LED centerline lights, in addition to taxiway enhancements to improve operational efficiency.
The original plan called for a total of nine weekend closures, scheduled to conclude on June 12. After poor weather conditions forced the cancellation of two planned weekend closures, the Airport, working with airlines and the FAA, consolidated the schedule to protect the peak summer travel schedule beginning June 8. This included the addition of a closure over the Memorial Day weekend.
Remaining project work, including taxiway paving, grooving, electrical wiring, and paint striping, will occur during overnight hours through the end of July. This work is not expected to have any operational impact, as it occurs during periods of minimal flight activity.
Ivar Satero, SFO director, said, “I appreciate the patience of our customers during this very important project. I am also grateful to the entire project team, the FAA, and our airline partners, for their flexibility. By consolidating this work schedule, we can now move into our busy summer schedule without further inconvenience to our travelers.”
Runway repaving is necessary every 8-12 years, based on flight activity, with Runway 28L last being repaved in 2008. The rehabilitation project provides a new asphalt surface equivalent to paving four lanes of interstate highway for a length of 10 miles.
