Airport Master Plan 2012 - City of Waterville

Runway 5-23 provides for over 94% wind coverage, closing Runway 14-32 would have only a
limited effect on airport operations. Nevertheless, closing the runway would adversely impact
aircraft that routinely use the runway.
The Runway would be closed by installing runway closure markings (“X”) and by issuing
appropriate NOTAMS as well. Portions of runway pavement would be removed only when
necessary to offset the impervious surface associated with any future Apron development, or
should portions of the runway be converted to a taxiway, pavement would be removed to meet
FAA design standards.
Table 4.1
Runway Alternatives Analysis
Analysis Factor
Impact
R0: “Do Nothing”
Engineering No Change
Operational No Change, Runway remains closed
Environmental No Change
Land Use No change
R1: Rehabilitate Runway 14-32 and reduce width from 150 ft. to 60 ft.
Engineering Significant Costs associated with Runway Rehabilitation
Operational No Change, Runway maintains B-I category
Environmental Improvement- Decreases the amount of impervious surface
Land Use No change
R2: Permanently close Runway 14-32
Engineering Limited related to Xing out the Runway
Operational Limited considering that RWY 5-23 has over 94% wind coverage
Environmental
Improvement, decrease the amount of impervious surface should portions of the
runway be removed.
Land Use Eliminates noise impacts and Object Height Restrictions off of Runway ends
Runway Alternatives Conclusion
The Airport received overwhelming support for keeping Runway 14-32 open, thereby choosing
Alternative R-1. Airport users indicated Runway 14-32 was essential for light aircraft operations and
training. FAA design guidelines will mandate that the runway width will be reduced from 150 feet to 60
feet wide; the Airport should receive credit for the reduced impervious surface. Alternative R-1 has
additional cost impacts, namely land and/or easement acquisition required for airspace protection, which
also involves off-airport vegetation removal.
4.2 Airport Taxiway System Alternatives
The Airport‟s taxiway system should provide for free movement and direct routing to and from the
runways, terminal area and aircraft parking areas. It should allow for smooth aircraft taxiing requiring
minimum changes in aircraft speed. Principles for designing taxiways include:
Providing each runway with a parallel taxiway or the capability of a parallel taxiway.
Build taxiways to provide as direct a route as possible.
Provide bypass capability or multiple access to runway ends.
Avoid crossing runways as much as possible.
The City of Waterville Maine
Alternatives Analysis – Page 4-3
Airport Solutions Group, LLC & The Louis Berger Group, Inc. December 2011