We’ve been juggling FAA grant requirements and a diminishing weather window to find a 2026 date for our pavement rehabilitation and re-painting project, and we now have a tentative schedule worked up between our engineering partner and the primary contractor. The project will involve two phases, and each will have different usability implications. The most important immediate date is October 5th: that’s the day that the runway is scheduled to close – and will remain closed through October 11th. During this period there will be no runway access for S31. Please see the below schematic for specific areas of work during this phase, as it is extensive.
The second phase, 1B, will involve the taxi lane and the Southern apron. This period can support aviation traffic on the runway but will require a back-taxi to either A1 or A2. This phase is expected to run from October 12th to 16th.
If you currently have an aircraft on the tie-downs the best plan would be to remove it for the entirety of the construction period. If that is unworkable, we may be able to accommodate in the camping area and/or flipping between North and South apron closures. The latter is less ideal, as there will likely be considerable traffic around/through the remaining apron portion while the other is closed, particularly during phase 1B. If you have an airplane on the tie downs and have any questions, please come talk to me or one of the Commissioners. Signs will soon go up announcing the closure of the tie-downs.
Assuming best case weather scenario, the schedule would be as follows:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Oct. 5Phase 1ARwy ClosedTwy A2/A1 ClosedNorth Apron & Taxilanes Closed | Oct. 6Phase 1ARwy ClosedTwy A2/A1 ClosedNorth Apron & Taxilanes Closed | Oct. 7Phase 1ARwy ClosedTwy A2/A1 ClosedNorth Apron & Taxilanes Closed | Oct.8Phase 1ARwy ClosedTwy A2/A1 ClosedNorth Apron & Taxilanes Closed | Oct. 9Phase 1ARwy ClosedTwy A2/A1 ClosedNorth Apron & Taxilanes Closed | Oct. 10Phase 1ARwy ClosedTwy A2/A1 ClosedNorth Apron & Taxilanes Closed | Oct. 11Phase 1ARwy ClosedTwy A2/A1 ClosedNorth Apron & Taxilanes Closed |
| Oct. 12Phase 1BTwy A3-A5 Closed, South Taxiway A Closed | Oct. 13Phase 1BTwy A3-A5 Closed, South Taxiway A Closed | Oct. 14Phase 1BTwy A3-A5 Closed, South Taxiway A Closed | Oct. 15Phase 1BTwy A3-A5 Closed, South Taxiway A Closed | Oct. 16Phase 1BTwy A3-A5 Closed, South Taxiway A Closed | Oct. 17 | Oct. 8 |
Here’s a visual of Phase 1A:
And Phase 1B:
The weather will be a primary player in how this schedule is enacted. Unless the weather stays warm and dry into November, the pavement vendor will likely need to return to the island early next year to complete final pavement marking applications. If weather turns earlier, we may need to delay the project start until consistent good weather returns next year. We’ll keep you updated as we track toward the October 5th closure date.