Richland Airport Major Projects
Port of Benton is continuing work to maintain and make improvements at the Richland Airport, with major projects planned for this vital asset, as outlined below.
The Port follows a Comprehensive Plan (Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements), Richland Airport Master Plan, Capital Improvement Plan and Annual Work Plan to prepare and plan for major construction and other significant projects.
Current Projects
In 2024, Port of Benton will complete two major projects at Richland Airport. Read more about these projects, the anticipated schedule and funding sources below.
Pavement Rehabilitation Project
This project will include crack repair and fog seal on asphalt throughout the Airport (subject to Federal Aviation Administration funding availability). Crews will also refresh pavement markings.
The existing asphalt is not exhibiting structural failures but has significant cracking across the Airport.
Project Schedule
The Port anticipates the construction window will be August 19 to October 18, 2024. We will communicate the exact construction timeline once it is finalized.
Project Funding
90% – Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program grant will cover 90% of all project costs.*
10% – Port of Benton matching funds will pay for the remaining 10% of the project.
* The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires the port to accept all conditions and obligations stipulated for grant assurances. This includes following the FAA’s design guidance and safety during construction procedures. An inspector will be onsite full-time during construction to ensure compliance with the design.
Hangar Taxilane Construction Project
The Hangar Taxilane project will add approximately 1,300 feet of new taxilane to accommodate future hangars to the east of Taxiways A1 and A2.
Project Schedule
This project will require a limited, partial closure to Taxiway A (south).
The port expects this project to begin in late fall 2024 and be performed in phases with an overall work window of approximately 60 days to complete.
Project Funding
90% – Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program grant will cover 90% of all project costs.*
10% – Port of Benton matching funds will pay for the remaining 10% of the project.
* The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires the port to accept all conditions and obligations they stipulate for grant assurances. This includes following the FAA’s design guidance and safety during construction procedures.
Project Updates
Communications & Outreach
The Port keeps airport users, community members, and businesses impacted by airport projects up to date on construction projects in multiple ways.
Our primary communication method is the Port’s eNews. We invite you to sign up to receive future updates about Airport projects and other Port news.
2024
Minutes & Recordings of Public Port Commission Meetings
Meeting Archive Center
Leadership Tri-Cities Economic Development Day Presentation
March 20, 2024
Three Rivers Convention Center
View Presentation
2024 Richland Airport Project Updates Public Meeting
March 13, 2024
Richland Public Library, 5 p.m.
View Presentation
State of the Ports 2024 Presentation
March 12, 2024
Pasco Red Lion
State of the Ports 2024
Watch Video
2023
Port Construction Projects
Newsletter Article – Fall 2023
Washington Public Ports Association
December 7, 2023
View Presentation
Richland Airport History
The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission constructed the airfield in 1943. The airfield, named Atomic Energy Field, served the Hanford Site.
The government transferred the airfield to Port of Benton in December 1961, and the Port renamed it Richland Airport.
The Port was cautious about people’s hopes that airline service would come to the facility. They signed a lease with a private operator, and the Airport, which had been closed to private and commercial planes for decades, was open to public aircraft.
To read more about Port of Benton’s Richland Airport and history, visit our Richland Airport and History web pages.
