The City of Philadelphia, Division of Aviation has selected Urban Engineers, Inc. to prepare the preliminary and final design for the extension of both ends of Runway 17-35. The proposed extension would lengthen Runway 17-35 from its current length of 5,460 feet to a new length of 6,500 feet by extending the runway 640 feet to the north and 400 feet to the south. It would require relocation of the runway safety areas, connecting taxiways, navigational aids and lights, airport service roads, a portion of the Economy Parking Lot, and a portion of State Route 291.

Runway 17-35 is the only North-South runway at the airport and its lengthening will enable the runway to handle medium range jets that are now restricted to the airport’s two East-West runways.

The estimated $36 million project is scheduled for completion in 2007.