Airport runway makeover postponed

Shutdown of the main 9,000-foot runway at Charleston International Airport set to begin March 1 to allow a total makeover has been postponed, Air Force officials at Joint Base Charleston announced Monday.

The Air Force, which owns the two runways at the airport, did not say when construction would begin, but added that work would not start before April 1.

"The slippage is to allow additional time for the contractor to process and gain approval of required construction submittals (construction safety plan, material compliance documentation, etc.) prior to beginning work," officials said in a prepared statement. "This will help minimize the length of time the runway will be shut down."

Portions of the main runway were constructed during World War II, and they are nearing the end of their lifespan, the Air Force said.

"In order to maintain safe flight operations for military personnel and commercial passengers, the runway will undergo a complete reconstruction," Air Force officials said.

The Air Force and its fleet of C-17 cargo planes share the runway with commercial aircraft at Charleston International Airport. The runway is expected to be shut down for about nine months.

During construction, all air traffic will use the air base's secondary 7,000-foot runway.

The contract is managed by the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, under the Air Force's sustainment, restoration and modernization program. The agency has overseen replacement of several major Air Force runways in recent years.

Reach Warren L. Wise at 937-5524 or twitter.com/warrenlancewise.