Lois Larson
St. George Regional Airport in Utah closed in May 2019 for a four-month, $26 million runway repair project. The airport, which serves more than 200,000 commercial passengers a year, was forced to close after crews discovered that the runway had sunk and risen in parts, with a one-foot variation in some areas. The issue was caused by unstable blue clay in the soil, which expanded at different rates due to moisture, creating cracks and bumps on the surface. The airport reopened on September 26, 2019, after a complete rebuild of the runway, and the addition of drainage, moisture barriers, and new pavement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reopening Date | September 26, 2019 |
| Closure Duration | Four months |
| Closure Reason | Runway repair |
| Repair Cost | $25.8 million to $26 million |
| Repair Funding | Federal Aviation Administration and federal infrastructure funds |
| Previous Closure | May 2019 |
| Airport Location | St. George, Utah |
| Airport Size | 1,204 acres |
| Runway Length | 9,300 feet |
| Runway Width | 150 feet |
| Runway Orientation | 010/190 degrees |
| Runway Design | 5 ft thick compacted clay liner, 12 ft of structural fill, and a waterproofing layer |
| Annual Passengers | 200,000+ commercial passengers |
| Airlines | Delta, United, American, SkyWest |
| Destinations | Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City |
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What You'll Learn
St. George Regional Airport's runway repair cost
St. George Regional Airport in Utah closed in May 2019 for runway repairs. The airport's lone runway was found to have soil issues from at least 10 types of expansive clay that expanded at different rates due to moisture, causing cracks and bumps on the surface and making the runway ripple. The airport remained closed through September 2019 as construction crews excavated up to 17 feet of earth below the runway to address these issues.
The $26 million runway repair project was mostly funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and federal infrastructure funds, with the city of St. George also contributing. The FAA provided grants totaling around $123 million towards the construction of the new airport, which opened in 2011, and the entire project was expected to cost about $159 million.
The airport overhaul caused a loss of at least $400,000 in revenue, based on parking, rental car, and landing fees, and put some employees out of work. Marissa Snow, the director of corporate and brand communications at SkyWest Airlines, confirmed that many employees who were ineligible for work during the closure were transferred to other regional airports, while others were given the option to take unpaid time off or find other employment.
The completed repair work is expected to last up to 40 years, and the airport manager, Rich Stehmeier, expressed confidence that the clay would not expand more than an inch in the future. The St. George Regional Airport reopened on September 26, 2019, after a four-month closure, and airlines resumed operations, with new American flights to DFW announced.
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The airport's previous clay-related issues
St. George Regional Airport in Utah was forced to close for four months in 2019 due to clay-related issues. The airport, which opened in 2011, was forced to close from May to September to allow for the repair of its lone runway.
The clay-related issues at the airport were caused by the presence of blue clay, a type of expansive soil commonly found in Southern Utah. When blue clay gets wet, it expands in volume. This expansion caused the runway to ripple and created cracks and bumps on the surface. The clay expanded at different rates, causing at least ten types of underground clay to expand and contract at different rates, leading to the sealed cracks and bumps on the runway and tarmac.
Airport manager Rich Stehmeier said that the water would run off the edges of the runway and then be pulled back up underneath the asphalt as it heated up. This caused the moisture to get into the clay, which expanded and created the bumps and cracks. The centre of the runway had been patched over several times, and representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration witnessed the damage first-hand during a visit in 2019.
To repair the runway, crews excavated up to 17 feet of earth below the runway to remove the unstable blue clay. The updated runway design included a 5-foot thick compacted clay liner using conditioned clay from the site, 12 feet of structural fill, and a bituminous geomembrane waterproofing layer. This was done to ensure the clay would not expand more than an inch in the future and to prevent further damage to the runway.
The clay-related issues at St. George Regional Airport caused a substantial loss of revenue and put some people out of work. The $25.8 million reconstruction project was mostly paid for with Federal Aviation Administration and federal infrastructure funds.
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The airport's new flights
St. George Regional Airport in Utah has had a turbulent history since its opening in 2011. The airport closed in May 2019 for a $26 million runway repair project, which saw crews digging 17 feet below the runway to remove unstable blue clay that had caused extensive damage. After four months of closure and reconstruction, the airport was ready to reopen on September 26, 2019, with new flights announced to Dallas-Fort Worth, bringing excitement to the community.
The airport's lone runway had sustained massive damage just eight years after its construction, with cracks and bumps appearing on the surface due to drainage issues and the expansion of various types of underground clay at different rates. The closure caused a substantial loss of revenue, affecting the livelihoods of those working at the airport, and was estimated to be around $400,000 based on parking, rental car, and landing fees.
During the four-month closure, passengers had to rely on alternative airports, such as Cedar City Regional Airport or Harry Reid International Airport near Las Vegas, for their travel needs. The nearest commercial service airport was 60 miles away in Cedar City. Despite the challenges, airport manager Rich Stehmeier remained focused on fixing the issues, ensuring the job was done correctly, and implementing necessary improvements.
The reopening of the airport brought a sense of relief and anticipation to the community. The new flights offered by American Airlines to Dallas-Fort Worth were particularly significant, as they expanded travel options and connected the region with a major hub. This addition to the airport's offerings was a positive step forward after a challenging period.
The history of St. George Airport and its reopening story highlight the importance of addressing infrastructure issues promptly and adapting to changing circumstances. The airport's experience also underscores the impact that closures and disruptions can have on communities and local economies. With the completion of the runway repairs and the introduction of new flights, St. George Regional Airport embarked on a new chapter, striving to provide safe and efficient air travel for its passengers.
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The airport's environmental impact
St. George Regional Airport in Utah closed in May 2019 for a $26 million runway reconstruction project. The airport was scheduled to reopen on September 26, 2019, after a four-month closure.
The St. George Regional Airport's environmental impact has been a concern since its planning stages. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed in August 2006, and it concluded that the airport's impact on the environment and noise pollution would be minimal.
The construction of the airport involved significant excavation and soil disruption. The airport covers 1,204 acres (487 ha) and features a single runway, 1/19, measuring 9,300 by 150 feet (2,835 x 46 m). The original runway design included a 5-foot thick compacted clay liner using conditioned clay from the site, 12 feet of structural fill, and a bituminous geomembrane waterproofing layer.
However, shortly after its opening, officials discovered soil issues due to expansive clay, which caused sealed cracks on the runway and tarmac. This led to a second closure of the airport in May 2019, just eight years after its opening. During this four-month closure, crews excavated up to 17 feet of earth below the runway to prevent further expansion of the underlying clay, which caused the runway to ripple.
The airport's operations also have environmental implications. With a significant number of aircraft movements and passenger traffic, the airport contributes to air pollution and noise pollution in the area. The airport handles flights from major airlines such as Delta, United, and American, with connections to cities like Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City.
To mitigate the environmental impact, the airport has taken steps to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The FAA has also provided funding for the airport's reconstruction, indicating a commitment to ensuring the airport's safe and sustainable operations.
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The airport's history of accidents
St. George Regional Airport in Utah was set to reopen on September 26, 2019, after a four-month-long closure for runway repairs. The airport, which opened in 2011, replaced the smaller St. George Municipal Airport, which was declared unsuitable for expansion.
Now, here is a brief history of accidents involving St. George Regional Airport and its predecessor, the St. George Municipal Airport:
The Airports' History of Accidents
The St. George Regional and Municipal Airports have experienced a total of 21 accidents or incidents since 1982, averaging less than one accident per year for 80,000 yearly operations. While the full details of each incident are not publicly available, here is some information on a few notable occurrences:
2024 Plane Crash in Arizona:
On October 28, 2024, a small private plane departed from St. George Regional Airport and crashed about three miles south of the Utah-Arizona border. Despite the crash, the three occupants of the plane, two adults and a juvenile, managed to escape and hike to safety. The pilot's skillful landing and quick response from witnesses and rescue teams led to a "very good outcome" considering the circumstances.
Soil Issues and Runway Reconstruction in 2019:
In May 2019, the airport was closed for four months to address significant soil issues and reconstruct its lone runway. The issues were caused by expansive clay, which resulted in widespread cracks on the runway and tarmac shortly after the airport's opening. The reconstruction project, known as the "Big Fix," involved excavating up to 17 feet beneath the runway and installing more stable materials.
Bonanza Air Lines in the 1950s:
In the late 1950s, Bonanza Air Lines began flying Douglas DC-3s to various destinations, including Salt Lake City and Phoenix. However, by 1962, Bonanza had replaced the DC-3s with larger Fairchild F-27 turboprops. These larger aircraft were deemed too big for the old St. George Municipal Airport, and the airline ceased service to that airport, opting to serve the nearby Cedar City, Utah, instead.
While the exact details of all 21 accidents or incidents are not publicly available, the history of the airports in St. George, Utah, has undoubtedly included a range of challenges and incidents over the years.
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Frequently asked questions
St. George Regional Airport reopened on September 26, 2019, after a four-month closure.
The airport closed in May 2019 for a $26 million runway repair project. The runway was damaged due to drainage issues caused by expansive blue clay in the soil, resulting in cracks and unevenness.
According to Federal Aviation Administration records, St. George Regional Airport had varying numbers of boardings (enplanements) in recent years: 59,321 in 2014, 69,680 in 2015, 78,680 in 2016, 103,569 in 2017, 123,060 in 2018, 102,297 in 2019, 80,562 in 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic), 153,000 in 2021, and 128,453 in 2022.
