CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Flight paths for arrivals and departures at the Punta Gorda Airport have changed as construction continues on one of the runways.
Runway 4-22, which was built in the 1940s, was closed in January for construction after the Charlotte County Airport Authority received more than $14.7 million in funding for the project.
The center portion of the runway, which runs 7,193 feet long, is being removed and reconstructed and the rest of the runway is being resurfaced.
Construction crews will also be building new blast pads at each end of the runway and installing new energy-efficient lighting.
The runway is expected to be closed for about a year as the rehabilitation project is completed. While Runway 4-22 is closed, the airport will be using Runway 15-33 as the primary runway for all of the airport’s commercial airline departures and landings, officials said.
The construction on Runway 4-22 should not affect any passengers’ travel.
“While most people may not even notice, our neighbors directly north and south of Runway 15-33 will see more activity in 2022,” said PGD’s CEO James W. Parish. “We ask for our neighbors’ patience and understanding as we complete this necessary project.”
For nearby residents, contractors will be working during normal hours of operation — Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Airport officials will be encouraging the crews to use Piper Road instead of Golf Course Boulevard as well whenever possible.
If residents would like to report any specific incidents involving contractors or the work being done, click here.
Once Runway 4-22 reopens, flight patterns will go back to what they were in 2021.
Click here to go to the Punta Gorda Airport’s FAQ page about the construction project.
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