Project on schedule to reopen to air traffic on June 28

Reconstruction of the Jackson Hole Airport’s (JAC) 50-year-old runway passed the halfway point. The airport has been closed since mid-April for the project and still has one month to go before flights can resume. Contractors have been working day and night in order to keep to the tight 78-day schedule.

“We are happy to report that we remain on target to meet our reopening on the morning of June 28th,” said Jackson Hole Airport Board President Bob McLaurin in a press release. “The daily progress being made has been quite impressive to watch.”

Crews have completed excavating the old runway at JAC and have installed an updated drainage system. The new runway base is currently being constructed from recycled material.

A nearly three-month closure of the region’s only major airport has put pressure on other forms of transportation in and out of Teton County. The closest airport is the Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA), 90 miles away. IDA has seen an uptick in travelers since Jackson’s closure.

“We are also seeing longer lines at Transportation Security Agency screening as well as the ticket and check-in counter. We have opened up an additional economy parking lot. This increase is not only because of the Jackson closure but the addition of new flights,” said Eric Grossartch, Public Information Officer at IDA.

With tourism season picking up, vehicle traffic can be expected to increase through the valley as visitors make their way to Jackson and the national parks beyond.