Draft EUG Master Plan Update, February 2010

Home Browse Search

CHAPTER 4 ALTERNATIVE PLAN CONCEPTS The accessibility and convenience of airport users, including pilots, passengers, and businesses were evaluated, as these features are important to the perception of the airport. The effects an improvement may have on the environment, and the relative cost of improvement alternatives, are also critical aspects. Those improvements requiring the selection of a preferred alternative are presented in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative relative to each other, so their comparison can direct the selection of a proposed action. îò Airfield Facilities This section of the document presents discussion and evaluation of various facility needs related to the Airport’s airfield facilities, including runway, taxiway, and other movement areas. The airfield capacity of EUG exceeds the forecasted demand, largely because of the parallel runway Exhibit 4-1 configuration, and the extensive taxiway system (see ). These features have been developed from the implementations of planning, construction, and operational efforts occurring over the life and history of the Airport. Improvements to airfield pavements should be coordinated with Eugene’s Airport Control Tower. 2.1 Runways Runway 16R/34L is currently 8,009 feet, which accommodates aircraft currently operating at EUG and those projected through 2026. However, the ability to extend the runway to 9,200 feet has been developed as part of previous Master Plans, and should continue to be preserved, so that the need can be accommodated once it is justified. This additional length has been shown to be attained by extending the runway south. The southern extension of Runway End 34L is able to be accommodated primarily on land owned by the Airport. Extending south would also prevent the need to relocate the elaborate Category III Instrument Landing System currently serving Runway End 16R. Runway 16L/34R is currently 6,000 feet, which is the originally constructed length. This 6,000-foot length accommodates the aircraft fleet for which it was intended. However, situations may arise resulting in the primary Runway 16R/34L being offline, and parallel Runway 16L/34R being the only available runway. These situations may be temporary and emergency in nature, or more likely, are to be extended periods necessary to accommodate scheduled maintenance of the primary runway. Scheduled passenger service aircraft generally operate on primary Runway 16R/34L, due to the runway length, aircraft instrumentation, navigational aids, and proximity to the terminal. Regularly scheduled maintenance to this runway requires adequate time and maneuverability of ground crews and equipment, which is best offered with the runway being closed. The closing of the primary runway forces aircraft traffic to the parallel runway. Because of the shorter length of the parallel runway, not all aircraft are able to operate on the parallel runway under the same conditions as they operate on the primary runway. 4-2 Eugene Airport Master Plan Update (February 2010)