Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Colorado is currently set to undergo runway maintenance between mid-July and the end of August.
The project, which involves seal coating and repainting the runway, is not expected to affect the airport's summer flight schedule, according to an April 5 Steamboat Pilot and Today report.
"Strengthening our aviation system includes investing in rural and regional airports. We're glad to provide funds to help Yampa Valley Regional Airport improve the conditions of its runway," Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in an April 6 Twitter post.
It was confirmed the cost of the project will be split three ways between the Federal Aviation Administration, the Colorado Department of Transportation and then the airport itself. The last runway maintenance project at YVRA was completed in 2015, costing $4 million more than initially planned due to larger-scale changes, Steamboat Pilot and Today reported.
Steamboat Springs Airport, which was renamed to Yampa Valley Regional Airport in 1989, serves as the primary airport for Steamboat Springs, Colo., and the Yampa Valley region, according to Fly Steamboat. The airport has seen a significant increase in passenger traffic, with more than 180,000 passengers served in 2019.
YVRA offers year-round flights to Denver and several seasonal flights to other destinations, Fly Steamboat reported. The airport has plans for runway improvements, terminal expansions and additional airline services.
YVRA has completed several projects aimed at improving airport efficiency and passenger experience, including the installation of bag belts for TSA's new oversize bag scanner and the replacement of all three carry-on bag scanners, according to its website. Other completed projects include the expansion of commercial aircraft deicing facilities, the construction of a rental car wash and two associated storage lots and the replacement of heating boilers and an HVAC unit.
YVRA is also currently working on a General Aviation Development Plan and a Terminal Area Plan to facilitate new on-airport aviation hangars and businesses, with construction set to begin in 2023 and 2025-26 respectively, its website reported.
