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Kiewit outlines phased plan for Pitkin County runway rebuild: 2026 preconstruction, 2027 shutdown with Nov. 19 completion target
Summary
Kiewit told the county June 2 it will mobilize in July 2026 for risk‑reduction and material stockpiling, then shut the airport for a one‑time 2027 reconstruction; the contractor presented haul routes, a batch plant plan, worker housing outreach and a target return-to-service date of Nov. 19, 2027.
Kiewit representatives briefed the Board of County Commissioners on June 2 about a manager‑at‑risk approach to reconstructing the county airport runway.
Kiewit said 2026 work will focus on establishing haul routes, materials laydown, a batch plant and site infrastructure while keeping the airfield open and working outside the runway safety area. Company presenters said they plan to mobilize in July 2026 and to stockpile aggregates and other material on site to reduce supply risk for the 2027 closure.
The full runway shutdown is scheduled to begin in 2027 with an April 5 closure for the construction period and a committed return‑to‑service target of Nov. 19: "November 19th. That's the Friday before Thanksgiving. Kiewit will honor that date or ahead," a Kiewit representative told the board. The contractor described an earth‑work strategy to balance cut and fill on site, shift Owl Creek Road temporarily, build retaining walls where needed, relocate lighting poles and install under‑drains and other new drainage infrastructure. Kiewit said it plans to reuse existing pavement and other materials where feasible and to coordinate worker housing, RAFTA routes and local food‑service partnerships to reduce community impacts.
Company staff emphasized safety, constructability reviews and schedule certainty; Kiewit also said it prefers a single shutdown approach — one continuous shutdown to replace runway pavement and systems — rather than piecemeal closures. The team discussed night and occasional weekend makeup work, permitting requirements, noise‑variance coordination with environmental health staff and planned public outreach about haul routes and construction impacts.
Commissioners and staff raised questions about housing for incoming crews, traffic at the Owl Creek signal, the size and location of stockpiles and the visual impacts of new embankments at the north end of the runway. Kiewit said it has reached out to hotels and condominiums and discussed possible RAFTA route adjustments to shuttle workers and reduce highway trips.
No formal county action was taken at the work session; the presentation served as an informational update and an opportunity to surface operational concerns ahead of permitting and contract finalization.
