Airport Completes New Taxiway

Durango, CO -The new parallel taxiway extension at the Durango La Plata County Airport is now complete and will be officially opened at 3:00 pm on Thursday, November 19.  Aircraft landing and departing the Durango-La Plata County Airport will no longer be required to taxi their aircraft on the runway to access the south end of the field.

Construction of the parallel taxiway system began in 1979 and has been continuously extended and upgraded over the last 30 years.  The final 1,200 feet of the taxiway were not completed due to a 120′ deep canyon in the path of that extension.  The Federal Aviation Administration expressed concern about runway safety in low visibility weather conditions.  The project was given priority funding under the Airport Improvement Program providing 95% of the total $18 million dollar construction costs.  Construction was performed by R.E. Monks of Colorado Springs and CSW Contractors of Phoenix, Arizona.  The project was designed by Jacobs Engineers.

Director of Aviation, Ron Dent, expressed satisfaction with the completion of the construction.  “This was a major project for this small Airport to contemplate but, with increasing traffic and the emphasis on safe aircraft operations, it was essential that this taxiway be completed.”  “It will improve the flow of aircraft traffic and greatly reduce the possibility of a runway incursion during inclement weather” Dent said.

2009 was a busy year for construction at the Airport.  A gradient problem on the runway was repaired, the general aviation parking apron was rehabilitated and the terminal roadways were reconstructed.  All projects are now complete and the Airport is readying itself for a busy holiday season.

Enplanements are up – 16% for the month of October compared to October 1008, and 6% overall for the year.  October is traditionally one of the slow months.  The continued increase in enplanements is attributable to several factors, including an average 18% reduction in fares from 2008, expanded service options from Frontier Airlines, and a “coach share” between Continental and United.  For the traveler, this means one ticket will give them access to anywhere United and Continental fly.