Telluride Regional Airport, in Telluride, Colo., has received funding to fill the dip in the center of the runway. The airport administration has announced the airport will be closed from April 7 through Nov. 2. All airport staff will remain employed, either working on the project itself or maintaining the airport.
Three million cubic yards of material will be moved from each end of the runway to the center portion to fill the dip. A new overrun area will be created at the east end of the runway. Owners of based fixed-wing aircraft will have to move their airplanes to another airport to continue to fly them. However, helicopter operations will be welcome at Telluride even while construction is in progress.
The notorious dip has required special care from pilots for decades. When taking off, it is not uncommon for the runway to rise nearly as fast as an aircraft can climb. Pilots of business jets often leave their gear down in case they recontact the runway during climb-out.
