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HRVRC in the News
Plan includes moving runway and closing part of Orchard Road
Hood River News
[May 27th, 2009]
By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
The Hood River County Commission has signed on to an airport plan that shifts the runway east and calls for vacating a nearby section of Orchard Road.
Chair Ron Rivers expressed surprise at Monday’s hearing that the Port of Hood River’s proposal to close the east end of the roadway had not met with strong opposition.
“I thought Orchard Road would be the Achilles Heel but it doesn’t seem to be at all; and I’m quite pleased,” said Rivers.
The elected body unanimously followed the county planning commission’s recommendation that it adopt the updated master plan for the Ken Jernstedt Airfield.
The port acquired the property that borders Tucker and Orchard roads from the county in 1976. The agency and wants to make safety improvements that also create new economic development opportunities.
“We want to see our plan for the airport in sync with the county’s transportation plan so we have a real asset out there,” said Mike Doke, port marketing director, at the May 18 hearing.
He said public safety would be better protected by moving the runway 550 feet to the east. That would place the airstrip farther from the north-south portion of Tucker Road (south of Windmaster Corner). The relocation would also remove the restaurant Twin Peaks from the path of any plane experiencing landing or takeoff difficulties.
“Every time I go to Twin Peaks and sit there to have a hamburger I have a funny feeling. I like to keep my eyes on the window so that I can run if I have to,” said Dayle Harris, a member of the airport advisory committee and a commercial pilot.
Under the updated master plan, the port will also move the taxiway and fueling station 35 feet to the north. Doke said that would alleviate safety concerns caused by the current pattern of aircraft taxiing across an active runway.
This spring, the port presented the planning commission with a petition showing that the majority of Orchard Road residents support its vacation.
Casper Pepitone, the resident living closest to the airport on Orchard Road, told the county board at the May 18 hearing that he was “wholeheartedly” in favor of closing about 100 feet of the street.
“That whole section becomes the Grand Prix on Saturday night,” he said.
Pepitone said motorists would have to travel on Tucker Road to access the area, which would delay their arrival time by about three minutes.
“It is inconsequential, it will take at least one week to get used to it,” he said.
By moving the 3,040 foot runway, the port would also better serve the needs of its airport clients. The runway is currently set up to accommodate small passenger planes with a wing span of less than 49 feet but is regularly used by those with wing spans up to 78 feet.
Larger planes can be accommodated at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport, Wash., which is owned by the City of The Dalles and Klickitat County.
The Hood River airport has over 14,000 annual takeoffs and landings and is used as a base for search and rescue operations, aviation instruction, business travel and scenic flights.
Each year the port receives about $150,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration to make airport improvements. The cost of relocating the runway is expected to be about $1 million and Doke said the port will request more money from the FAA, as well as seek financing from other sources.
Resident Marion McNew asked the county and port to consider night closures of the airport if noise levels increased with greater use. She was also concerned about increased use of the “extremely dangerous” Tucker and Orchard road intersection.
Jonathan Graca from the Hood River Valley Residents Committee asked that the county and port develop a connectivity plan for cyclists if a section of Orchard Road was closed to passage. He suggested that improvements be made to Tucker Road that would accommodate bikes – or a trail be developed around the east end of the runway.
The port has agreed to partner with the county and stakeholders to seek out solutions for bike improvements.
Doke said the port will secure financing for the runway shift before pursuing the vacation of Orchard Road.