California business aviation hub Van Nuys Airport has completed the first phase of a $26.3 million, nine-step rehabilitation project on Taxiway B. The work at the Los Angeles-area gateway included a full-depth restoration of the north end of the taxiway, along with enhanced markings, installation of embedded and elevated LED guard lights, a new blast fence east of Runway 16L, and upgraded signage.
Runway 16R/34L, which has been shortened from 8,000 feet to 5,600 feet during the construction, will return to full length in early June, after which Runway 16L/34R will be closed and used as a taxiway, allowing work to progress on other sections of Taxiway B. That runway is expected to reopen by mid-December.
The project, which began in January, is expected to take 14 months to complete and will extend the taxiway’s usable lifespan by a minimum of two decades, as well as increase its safety.
“With this multi-million dollar investment in Van Nuys Airport, we are ensuring the safety and longevity of one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world,” said Los Angeles World Airports CEO Deborah Flint. “The work on this taxiway has been on-budget, despite challenging weather conditions earlier this year, and we’re excited to move to the next phases of construction.”