In the early 2000s, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updated their design standards for all the airports in the nation. The primary goals were to increase safety, decrease delays, comply with federal environmental standards and encourage innovative technologies that promote safety, capacity, and efficiency.
The largest impact to Easton Airport was the need to increase the size of the Runway Safety Area (RSA) to ensure 1,000 ft. existed at both ends of the primary runway. To accomplish this, the threshold of Runway 22 was displaced and the operational use of Runway 4 was restricted to only 4,775 ft.
This interim solution was enacted via waiver with the FAA in July 2008. Fortunately, Easton Airport had already started the process of conducting an environmental assessment and was in the planning stages to determine a long-term solution.
Over the next few years, a few options were vetted with community involvement and periods of public comment. It was eventually decided that the best solution was to add additional length to the primary runway and then demolish the northern portion of runway.
This plan required Easton Airport to purchase the adjacent property, formerly owned by the Black and Decker Corporation. This would allow for the “shift” of the runway to occur and provide enough space for the required 1,000 ft. Runway Safety Area. Talbot County purchased the property for this purpose in January 2017.
In 2018, Easton Airport’s Final Environmental Assessment was approved. It is also important to note that this is the only FAA approved plan and all other alternatives that were explored over a decade ago have been abandoned.
Easton Airport has now moved into the project design phase of the Airfield Modernization Program. During the January 19, 2023 Easton Airport Advisory Board meeting, AECOM Project Manager Derek Hollinger provided the public a detailed overview.
The presentation was recorded to preserve that portion of the meeting for further public review. The video (approx. 40 minute) is a rundown of the Airfield Modernization Program as it stands at 45% completed design. Mr. Hollinger explains the construction that will take place in phases over the next 6-8 years. Frequently asked questions with answers were compiled and is available for review at www.eastonairport.com/projects.
While we are pleased to make this presentation available for the public to review, we understand that it sometimes contains highly technical information that is not always easy to understand. Please direct any questions to Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher at .