[Editor's note] We asked NYC Aviation editor Matt Molnar to check out the Port Authority's big Bay Runway renovation project at JFK Airport for us. Here's his report:
Unlike your flight to visit grandma in Boca Raton, the huge $376 million project to renovate JFK Airport's busiest runway is running right on schedule. Jim Steven, the Port Authority manager in charge of the project, took us on a tour of the job on Wednesday and seems very optimistic the Bay Runway will reopen on July 1st, just as planned. "They gave me 120 days, not 121 days," says Steven bluntly. He isn't the only one motivated to finish on time, as contractors will earn bonuses if they complete the job early—or face stiff penalties for every hour they're late once the calendar hits July.
One of the longest commercial runways in the world, the nearly 3-mile-long Runway 13R/31L (dubbed the Bay Runway because it runs along the banks of Jamaica Bay) was closed on March 1st to be rebuilt with a number of improvements. It has been widened to 200 feet to better accomodate the new Airbus A380 superjumbo. Three new high-speed taxiways are being built to shave the time it takes for flights to move between the terminal and the runway, which will save passengers time and save airlines money.
Steven says the project's smooth sailing so far is thanks largely to years of planning with the input of engineers, airlines and the FAA. And the planning is visibly impressive. For example, not only did they build a concrete plant on-site so they wouldn't have to truck in the massive amounts needed for the runway, but they built a backup plant just in case the main plant were to break down.
While the main portion of work will be completed just in time for the peak summer travel period (and turtle mating season) the Bay Runway and another that it intersects will be closed for 15 days in September to complete the job.
By Matt Molnar, NYC Aviation
