Environmental Assessment, Runway 10-28, and Safety Area at Watertown International Airport

Extension of Runway 28 (1,000’ x 150’) and parallel Taxiway “A” (1,000’ x 50’), including associated clearing and grubbing, service road relocation, HIRL/MITL lighting, markings, and drainage improvements. The project also improved the south side Runway 10-28 Safety Area (RSA) to meet FAA standards, and required relocation of FAA NAVAIDS through a reimbursable agreement.

The project required significant environmental review, public, airline, and permitting agency coordination. Ten separate easement and fee parcels from four landowners were required to accommodate the extended runway safety/object free area and future approach lighting system. Construction phasing was developed to minimize the runway closure and disruption to commercial air service. The project also required filling federal wetlands and development of a mitigation plan.

Results: The runway extension accommodated a fleet change to regional jet aircraft for the Essential Air Service provider, resulting in increased passenger enplanements and additional airport revenue.