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Cameron County adopts draft 20-year airport layout plan and will seek TxDOT, FAA approval
Summary
The commissioners unanimously adopted a draft final Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for Cameron County Airport, which recommends maintaining two primary runways, shortening the primary runway to 6,000 by 100 feet for design consistency with TxDOT guidance, and lists a short-term capital program of about $10.3 million. The plan will be submitted to TxDOT Aviation and the FAA for review.
The Cameron County Commissioners Court on Feb. 10 unanimously adopted a draft final Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the Cameron County Airport and directed staff to submit the plan to the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division and the Federal Aviation Administration for review.
Consultant Chandra Burks of Kaufman and Associates told the court the ALP is “really just a blueprint of the airport,” describing a 20-year forecast of operations and based aircraft, a recommended development concept and a capital improvement program prioritized by safety and need. The study estimates operations near 30,000 in 2024 with growth to roughly 38,400 over 20 years and projects based aircraft rising from 24 to about 45 by 2044.
The recommended development concept calls for maintaining a dual-runway configuration—Runway 13/31 as the primary runway and Runway 17/35 as the crosswind runway—while reducing the primary runway pavement from its current 8,000 by 150 feet to 6,000 by 100 feet to align with projected aircraft types and TxDOT design support. Burks said pavement markings and design steps would allow the ALP to be amended later if larger-aircraft demand returns.
The plan’s short-term capital program was estimated at roughly $10.3 million, most of which Burks said is eligible for federal and state grant funding, with the county’s local share “just over $1,000,000.” An ultimate-term program was estimated near $15 million, with about $11.5 million identified as grant-eligible. Burks cautioned those totals are estimates prepared with 2025 dollars and could change.
Commissioners asked questions about whether future infrastructure projects—such as the second causeway and a proposed state highway—were considered. Burks said those projects were included in the team’s assumptions and recommended ensuring runway pavement condition and landside capacity could accommodate increased itinerant traffic.
Commissioner Garza moved to approve the draft final ALP; Commissioner Lopez seconded. The motion carried with all commissioners voting in favor; Commissioner Benavides participated online and was recorded as affirmative.
Next steps include the county’s submission of the adopted ALP to TxDOT’s aviation division for review and then to the FAA. Burks said a finalized federal approval timeline is uncertain given FAA backlog, and the county might not receive final deliverables until the summer at the earliest.
