Tucson Airport Will Break Ground On New Runway In November

TUCSON, AZ — The Tucson International Airport is getting a serious upgrade.

The Tucson Airport Authority will break ground on a years-long expansion to the airport and begin construction sometime in November, a spokesperson for the airport authority told Patch. The project will take between six and eight years to complete, depending on grant funding.

According to Jessie Butler, the director of communications and external relations for the organization, construction will not impede travel.

"Especially in the first year, there will not be an impact to travelers," he said. "After that, it’s still unlikely to cause delays" because the expansion will occur in four separate phases.

A groundbreaking ceremony will take place Thursday.

Spokespersons for Visit Tucson and Mayor Regina Romero did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what this announcement could mean for local tourism.

The $300 million project will construct a new commercial runway, demolish the existing general aviation runway and conduct a sound insulation program for select homes, among other project highlights.

Before the pandemic, the airport generated approximately $7.4 billion for the local economy, according to the Tucson Airport Authority.

The group previously said it wanted the Tucson airport to play a vital role in the economic advancement of southern Arizona and released a strategic plan to help it pivot following the industry's coronavirus-induced devastation. The three-year plan will capitalize on economic development opportunities, while also maintaining safety, security and customer service.

“This strategic plan has both achievable and aspirational goals, and we are excited and ready to lean into the challenges,” Taunya Villicana, chair of the Tucson Airport Authority board, said in a statement. “We are facing a challenge unlike any of us has ever experienced. We need to be prepared to properly react and respond. This is an opportunity for us to make some exciting changes for the benefit of all who live and work in Southern Arizona."