Runway's reopening good news for fliers

Star Tribune

Last update: October 30, 2009 - 11:14 PM

A runway at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reopened Friday evening, which should mean fewer delays during periods of low visibility.

Since reconstruction of the runway began in August, flight delays have been frequent during periods of cloudy, wet weather. Two weeks ago, during a peak travel time, delays stretched beyond two hours.

Airport officials said those should ease now that air traffic controllers will no longer have to space planes farther apart because of limited runway options,

The $17.5 million reconstruction of 3,800 feet of pavement completes the Metropolitan Airports Commission's $3.1 billion 2010 expansion.

One other result of the reopening will be a shift in noise patterns from arriving and departing planes.

Airport officials said residents and workers in downtown Minneapolis are likely to be exposed to fewer landings, as will residents directly north of the airport and residents of parts of Bloomington and Eagan.

To the east, residents of Highland Park and neighborhoods north and east of St. Paul are likely to experience less noise.

Areas of south Minneapolis northwest of the airport are likely to be exposed to higher levels of noise. Some areas of Mendota Heights also may experience more noise.

BOB VON STERNBERG AND VINCE TUSS

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