Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) announced a major shutdown and upgrade of its major 9,000-foot runway, 11L-29R, for an estimated $8.83 million reconstruction and overlay. Scheduled for 70 days of closure, the runway is scheduled to be unusable from April 15 to June 23.

During the closure, the parallel 7,000 foot parallel runway will be open for business.

The project is funded 90% by FAA airport improvement money, 5% from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Aeronautics and another 5% from Jefferson County.

BJC officials noted that “the pavement is worn and shows signs of stress. Its last rehabilitation was in 1994.” “The construction will increase runway weight bearing capacity up from 75,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds, allowing larger aircraft to land and avoid the complexities of dealing with Denver International Airport,” officials continued. “It will also pave the shoulders, reposition and upgrade electrical facilities and lighting and bring airfield signage up to current standards.”

Before and during this construction, the aerial firefighting fleet will be repositioned at Fort Collins-Loveland Airport and there will be no summer air show, officials added.

In October, new paint will reflect new runway numbers that are aligned to magnetic directions. Runway 11-29 will become Runway 12-30, more southeasterly and northwesterly.

The airport is owned and operated by Jefferson County, Colorado. It is a self-sustaining department and does not receive any general tax revenue, nor is airport revenue used for county purposes. According to county records, its economic impact, counting jobs, payroll, output and assorted multiplier effects, total more than $382 million. Its economic contribution to the communities it serves is $460 million in output and 2,670 jobs with an annual payroll of $153.9 million.