Wasilla airport commission backs buying at least 11 parcels for longer runway

The Wasilla Airport Advisory Commission backed the city's continued purchase of at least 11 parcels for a longer runway on Aug. 20, according to minutes in the commission's Oct. 15 meeting packet. The Wasilla City Council will be asked to support the acquisitions.

The land purchases support a project to extend the runway to 5,100 feet. Environmental review has begun and is moving the project toward a longer-term goal of 6,000 feet, the minutes say. A city facility-standards document says the city is working to acquire land for that longer runway, which the document recommends measuring at least 6,030 feet to serve certain B-II aircraft.

Commissioners approved a resolution of support for the purchases without objection.

City staff reported progress with the Federal Aviation Administration, which confirmed the project is eligible for its Airport Improvement Program. Consultants are working with the FAA to move from the environmental assessment phase to the design grant phase, which the FAA is expected to fund for the most part, the minutes say. Deputy Administrator Crystal Nygaard said $3 million secured by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is set aside for the runway expansion.

The minutes also list winter operations as a safety concern. Turboprop aircraft may leave Wasilla heavier than they arrive, carrying cargo and goods from local shopping.

"We did receive notification from FAA to extend our runway to 5,100 feet, so that's moving along quite nice," Nygaard told the Mat-Su Borough Assembly at its Sept. 1 meeting.

Alaska News previously covered a plan to nearly double the runway, from 3,700 feet toward 6,000 feet, under a 20-year master plan estimated at about $279 million. An earlier article noted the extension could reach nearby homeowners' land. The City Council set an Oct. 12 public hearing on that master plan.

Commissioners at the Oct. 15 meeting will consider approving the August minutes and hear updates on the master plan and the runway extension.