Merrill Field (PAMR) runway reconstruction imminent

Runway 7/25 at the busiest general aviation airport in Alaska is going to be rebuilt. At 4,000 feet, this is the longest of the three landing surfaces on the field and the project will require significant changes to operations at the airport. The project is scheduled to last 60 days starting on June 9. In addition, Runway 16/34 will be closed at night for 21 days, near the end of the closure period. The airport will remain open, however, with Runways 16/34 (2,640 feet) and 5/23 (2,000 feet) handling the traffic.

The project

It has been twenty years since the main runway at Merrill was rehabbed. The planned work involves not only removing and resurfacing the runway pavement, but also replacing electrical lines, runway lights and signs, and installing new precision approach path indicator and runway end identifier lights. Work is authorized to take place around the clock to minimize the duration of the disruption.

One of the challenges for based aircraft and transient users alike will be: how do I get to where I want to go on the airport? At a May 5 public meeting, Merrill Tower’s Air Traffic Control Operations Supervisor Caleb Newville gave an extensive briefing on operational changes construction. The project will be phased so that there will be two taxiways open at all times to allow aircraft to cross the closed runway. There will also be shorter closures of individual taxiways. Runup areas are also going to shift during the project and will be marked by new signs. These will change as the project progresses, so studying the plan, updates, and checking notams is essential before heading to the airport.

Navigating the airport

A special runway construction diagram is available online, and Newville recommends downloading, printing a copy, and carrying it with you this summer. During the construction project, ATC asks that you let ground control know if you require a run-up prior to takeoff, which may impact the routing to get you to the active runway.

In terms of operations, ATC indicated that arrivals and departures will be prioritized, with lower priority given to touch-and-go traffic. This may impact flight training during the summer, so you might want to plan on an alternate airport if you need to practice takeoffs and landings. They also wanted to remind pilots that ADS-B Out is required if your arrival or departure takes you through Class C airspace, even if ATC issues you a clearance.

At the completion of this project, the runway numbers will change from 7/25 to 8/26.

To prepare for this project, Merrill Field has a stand-alone website with resources for pilots, including a Pilot’s Handbook specifically for the summer construction project, along with a ForeFlight content pack. A video recording of a presentation detailing the project's stages is also available.

So don’t avoid Merrill Field this summer, but do your homework before dropping in. Review your flight plan, notams, and the latest airport operations guidance online or in ForeFlight before you fly, and don’t forget to upload the latest revisions or buy an Alaska supplement when the project is complete to ensure you can operate safely and confidently at Merrill Field.