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YVR's north runway to get $133M refurbishment

Flights scheduled won't be impacted by the construction, according to YVR
yvr-airport-aerial-shoot
Aerial view of Vancouver International Airport

Upgrades for Vancouver International Airport (YVR)'s north runway will take place starting in spring.

The runway, which opened in 1996, will get a series of upgrades to "enhance operational resiliency" to the tune of $133 million, according to a YVR media statement.

This will be done through a modernization program that includes a complete asphalt overlay of the north runway, connecting taxiways with supporting work to upgrade drainage systems, and electrical and lighting equipment.

Work will begin in spring 2025 and is expected to finish by fall. Construction will take place during the nightly closure of the runway from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. so flights will not be impacted.

”This program includes important and necessary work for the long-term resilience of our North Runway, which serves millions of travellers and businesses each year," said Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO at YVR.

"We are pleased to be working with Kiewit, Tristar and their subcontractors to carry out the program safely and on time,”

According to YVR, the program will generate an additional 100,000 person hours of work during construction to create new jobs and add "economic value for the region."

"Kiewit, along with Lafarge Canada, is excited to have been selected by YVR to provide construction services for its North Runway Program," said Ryan Tones, senior vice president at Peter Kiewit Sons ULC.

"Our collective long histories of building important infrastructure projects across British Columbia, in addition to our long histories of successful projects at YVR and airports across North America, will serve us well. We look forward to bringing our highly skilled staff and craft workforce and wide network of local suppliers and partners to help ensure we safely deliver this crucial project in the region."

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