Had Been Proposed To Keep The Airport Open While The Runway Is Shortened

There will be no temporary runway created at KSMO for use while the primary runway at the airport is shortened under terms of an agreement between the city and the FAA.

The city posted a report on its website citing several concerns about the temporary runway, including a lack of runway end identifier lights and precision approach path indicators. “Operating the airport without these features is contrary to safety standards,” said Susan Cline, the City’s director of public works.

The Santa Monica Lookout reports that Cline said there were several concerns expressed by the FAA as well. 

The interim runway had been proposed as part of the $879,741 contract for a feasibility study and construction of a 3,500 foot runway, which is 1,500 feet shorter than the existing pavement. But the interim runway would require aircraft to back-taxi against arriving traffic and then make a 180 degree turn at both ends of runway, "which is considered to be a nonstandard operation," Cline said in the report.

The city is rushing to make a December 7, 2017 deadline to shorten the runway. That's the FAA's publication date for updated approach and departure procedures. The next publication would be February 1, 2018. Cline said that an interim runway could not be built before the publication deadline.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.smgov.net