Glacier Park International Airport completes runway rehabilitation

Glacier Park International Airport has successfully completed its runway rehabilitation project, capping four consecutive weeks of construction.  

The rehabilitation included replacing more than 30 acres of runway pavement, upgrading lighting and communications infrastructure, installing miles of new airfield electrical cable, improving drainage, constructing new taxiway connections, and enhancing other critical airfield systems. 

Throughout July, crews worked in four weekly construction windows, reopening the primary runway on or ahead of schedule each Friday morning. Prime contractor LHC, Inc. led the effort, mobilizing a crew of more than 100 workers who operated around the clock to keep the project on pace, logging more than 25,000 hours of combined labor. 

"LHC ran a tight operation from start to finish," said Rob Ratkowski, airport director. "Coordinating that many people and that much equipment without missing a beat is no small thing." 

Throughout construction, more than a dozen companies, including contractors, engineers, surveyors, inspectors, and suppliers, worked together in a skillfully coordinated effort to complete the project.  

Commercial flights were suspended for the duration of each closure window and resumed when the primary runway reopened each Friday morning, allowing approximately 60% of seat capacity to be retained during peak tourism. The lone full airfield closure came during a 48-hour period when both runways were closed to pave the intersection where they meet.

The airport also recognized the cooperation of its tenants, federal and state agencies, contractors, and the traveling public, whose flexibility and patience helped make the project a success. 

As the Flathead Valley continues to grow, Glacier Park International Airport remains committed to investing in infrastructure that supports the community's future. The completed runway rehabilitation allows the airport to continue to safely accommodate commercial, cargo, medical, military, business, and general aviation operations. 

Following a 30-day curing period, finishing touches, including runway grooving and striping, will occur in September. There will be no traveler impacts while these final activities are completed. 

For more information about GPIA and the runway rehabilitation project, visit iflyglacier.com.