TPA’s west runway reopens following completion of major improvements

The major makeover to Tampa International Airport’s main runway is now complete following a 45-day closure. The runway reopened to aircraft traffic Friday evening.

Runway 1L/19R was first closed on April 20 to allow construction crews to begin work on improvements, some of which were required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

The project included major regrading at the south end of the runway, along with drainage upgrades to ensure water doesn’t pool along the runway’s shoulders during periods of heavy rain. As part of the project, work was also completed on some of the electrical outlet covers in the Runway Safety Area.

The closure resulted in planes having to exclusively use TPA’s east runway, which positioned aircraft directly over other neighboring communities as they were taking off or coming in for landing. That resulted in more aircraft noise for local homeowners and businesses. The Airport began communicating the project to people living in the impacted areas in March of 2021 and scheduled 14 public meetings to keep the community informed.

Today’s resumption of regular flight operations on 1L/19R means aircraft noise in neighborhoods near the airport will return to pre-closure levels.

For information about Tampa International Airport’s noise abatement efforts, visit our Noise Monitoring Office page.