Sawyer County officials outline airport master plan timeline, confirm May 5 runway shutdown

Sawyer County airport staff told the Public Works Committee on a recent meeting that work on an updated airport layout plan (ALP) is advancing but remains contingent on federal approvals, and that a runway resurfacing shutdown is scheduled for May 5.

The airport manager said the state bureau agreed to let consultants submit a forecast using a C-2 aircraft category, after which the Federal Aviation Administration must confirm the forecast before the consultant can complete the ALP. That confirmation, the manager said, is required before the county can present a finished ALP to the full county board for acceptance — a prerequisite for continuing to receive federal funding for the airport.

Airport staff underscored why the forecast matters: “The C-2 category is really what bumps us up. That’s what brings us up to our bigger safety areas needing a longer runway,” the airport speaker said. He added that county consultants have not presented a finished ALP in the current fiscal year and that, if the FAA and state timelines hold, the ALP would likely come to the county toward the end of the year.

Staff also announced operational timing for a separate, imminent construction project: a runway resurfacing and lighting upgrade. “We have set a shutdown date for the runway project… shutdown day is scheduled for May 5,” the airport speaker said. Contractors will remove the existing pavement, bring the surface to grade and repave; work on lighting upgrades is being performed by NIO Electric and pavement work by a private contractor. The airport speaker estimated optimistic completion by June if weather cooperates, but said the project could extend into later June.

Staff said the county has budgeted for road repairs linked to heavy truck traffic on town access routes during construction and that contractor contracts include allowances for road repairs if needed. They also said temporary traffic shifts will route smaller aircraft users to nearby airports while the runway is closed, and estimated a 25–30% reduction in fuel sales if the airport is shut for the whole of June.

The airport speaker noted the ALP update is overdue — the current plan dates to about 18 years ago — and described engagement at a recent state aviation conference. He said Sawyer County has experienced growth among general aviation airports in the state and that local activity has outpaced some peers.

Committee members asked for clarification that the county is not requesting the C-2 classification, only that the forecast data indicates it; staff confirmed the classification follows the data and FAA confirmation. The committee discussed coordinating with town road crews about the contractor access route and agreed staff should continue outreach and brief the board if the state or FAA timelines change.

The committee agreed to put an item on the June agenda to consider a post-project ribbon-cutting or promotional event should the runway and lighting upgrades be completed.