The second longest runway in the southeastern U.S. known as HSV West, or 18R/36L, has reopened to passenger and cargo air traffic at Huntsville International Airport, just in time for busy holiday traffic.

If any good came out of the slowdown in air travel over the past 20 months due to the pandemic, the opportunity to resurface the 25-year-old, 12,600-foot runway, and upgrade it with more energy efficient LED lighting was a bright spot.

“Even with the onset of the pandemic, we were working hard to prepare for the inevitable growth in passenger and cargo flights mirroring our community’s rapid economic development,” said Rick Tucker, CEO of the Port of Huntsville. “It’s a matter of pride for us to be able to offer superior facilities and capabilities to our customers rivaling much larger airports, yet with the convenience and personal touch we can offer as a smaller market.”

The $23.5 million, year-long project included a four-inch mill and overlay of full-strength runway and connector taxiway asphalt pavement, and a two-inch mill and overlay of the inner 27 feet of runway shoulder.

Both blast pads, connector taxiway shoulders, and the outer runway shoulders received an asphalt rejuvenation treatment to extend the useful life of the pavement, originally constructed in 2012. The rehabilitation included complete replacement of 759 incandescent runway edge lights, centerline lights, and touchdown zone lights on the runway, with 50 miles of new wiring and LED fixtures.

“The new surface will extend the useful life of the runway for an additional 20 to 25 years,” Tucker said. “Converting from incandescent to LED lighting will reduce energy consumption and save electricity costs.”

Runway 18R/36L runs parallel to County Line Road on the west side of the airport. It originally opened for operation in 1967. Currently, it can accommodate aircraft up to Aircraft Design Group VI, which includes Boeing 747-8F and Airbus A-380 aircraft.

Wiregrass Construction Company’s North Area Division Office in Huntsville was the prime contractor, providing paving services.

They subcontracted with Rutherford Contracting Inc. to do the airfield and electrical work, Hasco Inc. to rejuvenate pavement markings, Cardinal International did the asphalt grooving, and Garver Engineering-Huntsville provided design services.

The design, construction and construction administration were funded by a $23.5 million grant received by the Port of Huntsville through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program.