JACKSON, Wyo. — It’s an on-time arrival for Jackson Hole Airport’s reconstruction project.
For the past 11 weeks, crews have been hard at work under the pressure of a strict timeline that began on April 11 when the airport closed its doors to travelers.
“With the incredible help of airport staff, contractors and our local partners, we are delighted to reopen the airport on time and on budget,” said Bob McLaurin, Jackson Hole Airport Board President.
In that time, the airport runway underwent a complete reconstruction and the terminal also received some significant upgrades. During the construction process, there were up to 300 crew members working together seven days a week to complete the projects with a schedule built on four-hour increments for the 78 days, valued at $68.8 million.
“On the runway project we broke every stage down into four hour blocks,” said Jackson Hole Airport Executive Director Jim Elwood. “So four hours, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to make sure we were hitting the objectives to make sure we could be here today with an open airport.”
Elwood spoke to the passion and commitment of all the people involved in the project.
“They took the responsibility seriously and they were not going to miss the deadline,” said Elwood.
He added that this construction project has resulted in a key piece of infrastructure that will serve those traveling in and out of Jackson Hole for the long term.
“The runway will serve this community for the next 30 years. The security checkpoint and other improvements here in the terminal will do what the community needs for the next several decades.”
In the planning process, JAC made it a point to consider the changing face of technology and took into account how the airport could adapt to future technological developments.
“We wanted it to be adaptable to changing conditions. We wanted to be as forward looking as we could.”
Despite supply chain issues that have wreaked havoc on construction projects across the U.S., the airport was determined to deliver its promise of a June 28 reopening.
“In the COVID era and supply chain issues that projects have, it really speaks to the planning that went into this. We also had a wet and snowy spring but in the end there was just a commitment to success.”
With upgrades to the security checkpoint, new food and beverage amenities as well as layout changes, Elwood hopes that the new JAC provides a positive experience for all who walk through its doors.
“We want to make Jackson Hole Airport a positive experience, so when people come here they get the flavor of this community, they can feel connected to it.”
