JACKSON, Wyo. — Delays due to de-icing at the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) could become a thing of the past; a project is underway to expand the de-icing pad, collection system and associated taxiways. 

De-icing is done by spraying a glycol-based fluid on the aircraft to remove the snow and ice, ultimately reducing any drag the precipitation could cause. According to JAC, the project is meant to increase de-icing capacity and efficiency and in turn, reduce aircraft de-ice times, departure delays caused by de-icing needs, and wait times experienced with the current pad configuration.

The current de-icing pad is located at the north end of Taxiway A and can accommodate two B757-200s, according to the airport. This causes aircraft to queue on Taxiway A during de-icing operations, blocking access along the taxiway. 

The project includes the rehabilitation of 2,300 linear feet of Taxiway A; construction of a new de-icing pad taxiway for planes to line up on; expansion of the new de-icing pad south by about 470 feet to fit four planes; updates to the de-icing fluid collection system to double the capacity; and updates to the fluid dispensing station and command building, where de-ice trucks refill. 

JAC was recently awarded two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants to support different aspects of the improvement project: $3.36 million for the rehabilitation of Taxiway A and the construction of a de-icing pad access taxiway, and $2.9 million to fund the design and construction administration fees for a new de-icing pad and containment facility. 

A United States Geological Survey study found that in 2008-2009 and 2011- 2012, low concentrations of de-icing chemicals reached the groundwater near the airport after comparing water from wells where the water table was at a higher elevation than the de-icing area to wells that had a water table at a lower elevation. In 2012, JAC constructed a new de-icing pad with an underground solar powered glycol collection tank and in 2018 JAC built the fuel and glycol facility. Taxiway A was last updated in 2010. 

Teton County and the Town of Jackson are co-sponsors of the grants and have supported the project. The Teton County Board of County Commissioners approved the acceptance of the $2.9 million grant on Monday, Aug. 26 and the $3.36 million grant on Aug. 13. 

According to the airport, the project is being split into two phases with taxi lane and taxiway rehabilitation happening first followed by the de-ice pad and glycol collection system expansion.The project is estimated to cost over $27 million and is expected to be completed in 2026. Both FAA grants expire in four years.  

Lindsay is a contributing reporter covering a little bit of everything; with an interest in local policies and politics, the environment and amplifying community voices. She's curious about uncovering the "whys" of our region and aims to inform the community about the issues that matter. In her free time, you can find her snowboarding, cooking or planning the next surf trip.