City closes airport runway

Crews started the months-long process of closing a runway at the City Centre airport Tuesday morning. Edmonton Airport crews were on site early this morning - setting up barricades to start directing air traffic away from runway 16/34.

Today's closure comes after City council voted in 2009 to start closing the City Centre airport over the following five to ten years. The first phases of closing the airport had to wait until after a June 2010 air show and the Honda Indy Edmonton. Tuesday, August 3 is the first opportunity crews have had to start closing the runway.

Over the next several weeks, large signs will be painted on runway 16/34, signs directing traffic toward the runway will be removed, and lights and navigation equipment will be powered down and removed.

The Edmonton City Centre airport now has one operational runway.