Sep. 13, crews will transition from the first phase, where Runway 28L intersects with Runway 1R, to the second phase, where Runway 28L intersects with Runway 1L. This transition will be complete by the morning of Sep. 14, at which time Runway 1R will reopen for aircraft use.
Since the closure began at Sep. 7, crews have been working continuously 24 hours per day. Because the previous base layer dates back to the early 1960s, the project team built time into the schedule to allow for unknown conditions below the base layer, which could have required additional digging and material installation. These contingencies were not required, as the soil below was found to be stable, allowing crews to move immediately to the installation of a new base layer.
The transition to the second phase of the project is expected to improve the efficiency of the two runways which remain open for arrivals and departures. Runway 1R, expected to open on Saturday morning, is 1,000 feet longer than 1L, allowing more aircraft to use this for takeoff. This in turn is expected to allow Runway 28R to handle more arriving flights than during the first phase of construction.
Flight delays during the first phase were hampered by high winds, which led to more aircraft using 28R for takeoff as well as landing. Although wind conditions are expected to improve, SFO still advises travelers to continue to expect delays and potential cancellations, and recommends that travelers contact their airline directly for updates.
As with the first phase, SFO recommends that travelers opt for early morning flights before 9:00 a.m. PDT during this period, as delays are expected to begin after 9:00 a.m. PDT each day during the closure, and continue for the remainder of the day. Both domestic and international flights may be affected by this activity, with short-haul flights being most affected.
The total length of Runway 28L is 11,381 feet. The project will reconstruct a 1,900-foot section of Runway 28L, replace lighting and drainage infrastructure, and overlay a 600-foot section of Runway 1L.
