Little Rock’s New Runway Progressing

Civil engineers at Little Rock AFB, Ark., are nearing completion of the first phase of a $117 million runway replacement project, officials announced. “The contractor’s next major task is to pave and stripe the temporary taxiway. Phase two is currently scheduled to begin in early September,” said Capt. Sean Stuntz of the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron in a release. Little Rock’s 2.3-mile long runway will be fully replaced and the new runway will be elevated to improve drainage, and narrowed to the Air Force’s standard 150-foot dimension, according to a summary of the project. The base’s C-130 assault strip will receive a 13-inch concrete overlay and the taxiways, lighting, and navigation aids will be modernized. The six-phase project began last fall, and is scheduled for completion in April 2017, causing minimal disruption to flying operations, according to officials.