by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:10 AM ET, Thu April 4, 2019
Travelers flying in and out of New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport should be aware that one of four runways at the facility will be closed for reconstruction through November.
Runway 13L-31R is responsible for handling approximately one-third of arrivals at JFK, but it will be closed for several months as officials widen the runway by 33 percent. It will be repaved with solid concrete that will be more resilient than the existing asphalt.
The overhaul will also include the installation of new lights, signs, cables, navigational aids and the creation of new high-speed taxiways to enable aircraft to exit the runway more quickly.
"The Port Authority has continued to work extensively with the airport community in preparation for the runway reconstruction, which will directly impact all terminals and airlines," JFK terminal operators said in a statement. "All JFK terminal operators understand the importance of this critical runway work."
In total, the reconstruction plan is expected to create 3,340 total job years, $251.8 million in payroll wages and $608.6 million in economic activity. The new runway will have a lifespan of around 40 years, as opposed to eight to 12 years with conventional asphalt.
As for air traffic at the busy facility, Federal Aviation Administration and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials have developed a strategic plan to manage aircraft traffic, maximize efficiency and reduce delays at the airport.
"The Port Authority recognizes the need for infrastructure upgrades to improve the customer's flight experience and to better maintain and operate our facilities and assets," Port Authority chairman Kevin O'Toole said. "This project is critical to achieve those goals, and we are working to ensure minimal impact while the reconstruction is underway."
JFK boasts more than 61 million customer arrivals annually and handles more than 455,000 flights a year.
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