Smooth skies for Cheyenne Regional Airport construction ahead of summer

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - For folks who love aeronautics, the Cheyenne Regional Airport’s construction gives everyone an up-close study on planes...Really close.

If you’ve driven past it, you’ll see it’s still in the works.

The Cheyenne Regional Airport construction has been going on for a while now.

As construction progresses there are a lot of moving pieces to make sure business operates as usual, and that ultimately Wyomingites get the airport and runways they need.

“Being able to get back to normal operations, being able to bring in larger aircraft and have people fly out with less restrictions. We’re really looking forward to getting back to normal,” said Nathan Banton, Deputy Director of Cheyenne Regional Airport.

An update from airport officials ahead of Cheyenne’s Frontier Days said the 4- year runway construction project is ‘flying steady’ toward completion.

”We’ve had to do a lot of planning to make sure that they remain operational throughout the project. It takes a lot of work to make sure that they can continue to fulfill their mission and that we are supporting that mission,” said Banton.

Both the Airport and Air National Guard are collaborating on the multi-million dollar project, along with F.E.Warren Air Force Base, and WYDOT Aeronautics, to name a few.

“I actually grew up down the hill there listening to them out my window, every night warming up and flying, so it’s really exciting to be up here as a part of the mission taking care of those aircraft and the mission’s support group and keeping them flying,” said Lt Col. Brian Wille, Base Civil Engineer, 153D Airlift Wing, Engineering Squadron Wy. Air National Guard.

The FAA pays for the 100-foot-wide civilian runway, and the Wyoming Air National Guard is footing the difference for the additional 50-foot width the need.

”Having this project completed goes a long way to helping us to maintain our airplanes. Maintains our flying and it improves the capability of the airport and therefore our ability to execute our mission,” said Lt Col. John Holland, Commander of 187th Airlift Squadron.

It will remain open throughout Cheyenne’s Frontier Days, although planes will be rerouted around the construction which might not all be bad news...

”We’re getting very close to the traffic that’s on Yellowstone so its cool to see and get that up-close personal look at our friends and neighbors in the community. We love waving at people as we taxi by. So if you see us and you see us waving, wave back, and obviously drive safe,” said Holland.

The current runway extension is scheduled to be done in august.

The final touches are expected to be done by the end of 2023.

Copyright 2022 Wyoming News Now. All rights reserved.