OREANDA-NEWS. The San Francisco International Airport announced plans to temporarily close two runways during the summer of 2014 to complete the final phase of multi-year, federally mandated Runway Safety Area (RSA) construction project.

The project, required by federal statute to be completed by the end of 2015, will reconfigure Runways 1L and 1R to provide additional thresholds to safely slow an aircraft should it overshoot a runway.

Construction is scheduled to begin on May 17, 2014 and is planned to last through September 2014. Multiple phases of preparatory work have already been completed to support this temporary closure. Construction will be conducted day and night, seven days a week to help minimize the impact to customers.

“We have been working with the FAA and the airlines for the past several years to develop a plan to adjust schedules and capacity in advance of the temporary closure in order to minimize the impact to our customers during construction.” said San Francisco International Airport Director John L. Martin. “Unlike other airports, expanding the runways was not an option. We have to work within the airport's current footprint. Closing both runways at the same time is the safest and fastest option.

”During the 2014 RSA runway closures, the Airport will operate exclusively on its two major runways, Runways 28L and 28R. During good weather, minor delays may occur during peak periods of traffic demand, such as 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. During bad weather, delays may be similar to those experienced during winter months.

Construction on Runways 1L and 1R will include the installation of Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS), comprised of honeycombed energy-absorbing material which can safely capture an aircraft's landing gear should it overshoot the airstrip.

As part of the reconfiguration, landing lights, navigation systems and other equipment will be re-located. More than 40 other airports around the United States are also required to install Runway Safety Areas. SFO has already completed RSA upgrades on Runways 28L and 28R, which have received full FAA certification.

The airport has consulted with airline partners, the FAA and the business community to develop a flight management plan during the construction phase in order to minimize inconvenience to air travelers.

All stakeholders will be working cooperatively to manage flight schedules ahead of and during the closures to minimize customer disruptions and provide the greatest convenience possible to the flying public.