Air Lake advisory committee hears runway, road updates as pipeline talks continue

Members of the Air Lake Airport advisory committee on Tuesday were told that work on a planned runway extension and a new roadway alignment is on hold pending resolution of encumbrance issues with pipeline companies and the Federal Aviation Administration.

"We are working through all of those steps," Michelle Ross, director of stakeholder engagement for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, told the committee. Ross said MAC is coordinating with pipeline companies to satisfy FAA encumbrance requirements so an environmental assessment and the runway-extension process can begin. She added that staff hope to provide a more definitive schedule "within the next few weeks" and to share additional updates before the December MAC meeting.

Committee members said the projects have significant local economic implications and pressed for more granular details about negotiations with pipeline operators. Ross acknowledged senior MAC leadership has been meeting with pipeline companies and the FAA to fine‑tune a solution, but said she did not yet have specific negotiation details to share.

The committee also discussed interim roadway improvements while the permanent Cedar-to-Maynard alignment is finalized. Ross said MAC and tenants broadly support completing the new alignment and repaving the road, and that staff are exploring options to move the work forward as quickly as possible.

No formal action was taken; Ross said the MAC expects to return with a firm timeline and schedule in subsequent updates to the advisory committee.