Council adopts 2025 Idaho Falls Regional Airport Master Plan, lays out $390 million 20‑year program

The Idaho Falls City Council approved a resolution adopting the 2025 Idaho Falls Regional Airport Master Plan, a 20‑year blueprint for capital improvements at the airport.

Airport Director Ian Turner introduced the item and said the final draft is posted on the airport website. The master plan project — started in 2021 and delayed by pandemic effects and leadership transitions — went through inventory, demand forecasting, alternatives analysis and selection of a preferred alternative. Planner Wayne Reiter, lead planner for the master plan, outlined the preferred alternative and its four functional areas: terminal, East Side, South Quad and West Side.

Key proposals include an expanded terminal building, a three‑level parking garage with rental car facilities, a realigned and widened Skyline Drive, a relocated control tower and airport fire station, a cell‑phone waiting lot, expanded snow removal facilities, new hangars, taxiway improvements and a west‑side parallel taxiway that would allow relocated cargo operations. Reiter said the soccer fields on the northwest side are designated as future aviation development but are not projected to be needed during the 20‑year planning horizon.

The plan estimates roughly $390 million in capital costs across the 20‑year horizon, with about $280 million focused on the terminal area and $55 million on airfield projects including a control‑tower relocation and runway/taxiway work. Reiter and staff said the plan went through public outreach, technical advisory committee meetings and multiple public meetings with a 30‑day comment period in 2024.

The council voted to adopt the resolution approving the master plan. Councilors recorded yes votes and the mayor declared the motion carried.