Indy Airport South Runway Reconstruction Project Resumes
Residents may notice more aircraft in the skies over their neighborhoods
INDIANAPOLIS (April 5, 2023) -- The Indianapolis Airport Authority is continuing its multi-year, multi-phase $190 million construction project at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to enhance capacity by reconstructing Runway 5R-23L and Taxiway D. This project also includes the addition of LED runway and taxiway lighting.
In this second phase of construction, from now to approximately late October 2023, the runway will be closed temporarily for reconstruction. As a result, aircraft will use the airport’s runways (5L/23R) and (14/32). The increased use of these runways may cause some citizens to notice more aircraft in the skies near their homes or places of business.
“Although the south runway will be temporarily closed for reconstruction, we do not anticipate any flight delays for travelers,” said Keith Berlen, IAA sr. director of operations and public safety. “We have coordinated with the airport’s commercial and cargo airlines to help minimize disruptions, and have a solid plan in place that was executed well during the first phase of construction last year.”
This construction investment will be instrumental for both passenger and cargo aircraft and the future of aviation operations at the Indy airport. Last year, the IAA completed the project's first phase and earned high praise from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure with the Envision Platinum Award, the institution’s highest award for sustainability and resiliency. It is the first airfield project in the world to receive this prestigious recognition.
“We continue to maintain the Indy airport’s critical infrastructure, and doing so in a way that ensures the airport remains a valuable public asset over time,” said Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director. “Our award-winning operations and engineering teams, along with our business partners, are delivering a project that meets the airport’s needs to accommodate the more than 8 million travelers who fly out of the Indy airport each year.”
The IAA plans to spend approximately $38.6 million with 34 diverse businesses for phase one and two. The construction project will create more than 3,200 jobs and the IAA anticipates more diverse business participation as the project proceeds with phase three in 2024.
Runway 5R-23L and Taxiway D are critical infrastructure at the Indy airport. Runway 5R-23L is a 150-foot-wide-by-10,000-foot-long runway that supports most cargo operations at the airport, along with a significant amount of commercial airline traffic.
Periodic updates on the project will be available at IND.com/SouthRunway