Airport's secondary runway reopened after major overhaul

The Thunder Bay International Airport's secondary runway has been reopened after undergoing a major overhaul this summer.

The $8-million project saw extensive work done to runway 12-30, including new lighting and drainage, and repaving.

"I've had feedback from day one of opening, and nothing but positive," said Ryan Brading, manager of airport services. "I like to hear that. There was a lot of effort and hours put into construction and constructing that runway. And, it's nice to have some positive feedback. And that's where it matters the most."

New lights increase visibility, save money

The new lighting is all LED technology, which will save the airport money while increasing visibility, he said.

"This is also new to pilots," Brading said. "I mean, they don't see lights like these everyday. It's not very common yet. They're still new."

Brading said the new lights have additional safety features for pilots who are taking off.

"So, things like the last 33 percent of the runway, the last third are coloured yellow. So, when the aircraft departs, instead of white runway edge lights, they'll see yellow, so they need to know what some of this stuff means as well." 

Work on the 1.6 kilometre runway began in late May, and its completion brings runway 12-30 up to current Transport Canada standards. It hadn't been refurbished since 1984.

It was the largest capital project in the airport's history.