Leesburg Airport Commission hears progress on tower, runway rehab and taxiway redesign

The Leesburg Airport Commission received a multipart update on capital projects at the municipal airport, with staff outlining progress on an air traffic control tower, runway rehabilitation, taxiway relocation and perimeter‑fence replacement.

The commission was told the environmental review for the new air traffic control tower began in January and that the Virginia Department of Historic Resources has been contacted as part of that study. Staff said they expect the environmental portion of the report to be mostly complete by April or May and planned public outreach tied to the environmental review, with a possible open house in June to show tower visuals, height and site plans and solicit public input.

Commissioners and staff discussed public concerns about perceived increases in airport traffic from a tower, and staff said the outreach should be “an education piece” showing that the airport already operates with a tower and that the new structure is largely a technology and siting change. Staff also described ongoing negotiations with the top‑ranked firm selected to design the tower and said the commission could see a contract award on the council agenda as early as May.

On funding, the airport report noted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will not issue a design grant until it signs off on the environmental review. Staff described splitting design work into preliminary tasks to advance the project while reducing the town’s upfront budget exposure. They also said recent congressional action authorizing full funding for the FAA Airport Improvement Program gave some confidence that AIP funds remain available.

The commission heard that runway rehabilitation is at roughly 90 percent design and is expected to go out to bid this summer. The planned work primarily involves milling approximately 4 inches of pavement and repaving in phases to allow daytime operations while doing overnight closures (typically 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Staff told the commission the construction window will be specified in bid documents and that contractors will be asked to provide backup equipment so the runway can be reopened on schedule. Grooving of the pavement about 30 days after paving will likely require additional night work.

Members also received a status report on a multi‑year, multi‑phase taxiway relocation project intended to modify and consolidate several existing taxiways. Staff said the FAA prefers larger projects be phased across two grant cycles and that the design team will take two years to complete detailed plans if the design grant is awarded. Commissioners raised operational concerns about removing one taxiway and about how changes could increase go‑arounds or affect jet operations, and urged close review with the airport controllers and engineers during the design phase.

Other items noted by staff included a perimeter fence replacement (replacing low, chicken‑wire fencing with an eight‑foot barbed‑wire perimeter fence), activity on the airport’s northeast corner where a private hangar is preparing to break ground, and a private operator’s charging station pending utility easements and council easement approvals.

Staff closed by asking commissioners whether they wanted council to be briefed on the tower outreach; commissioners indicated they would likely want to see the environmental findings and to be kept informed as design and grant timing solidify.