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Proposed Project
Purpose and Need of the Proposed Airport Relocation
The purpose of relocating St. George Municipal Airport is to provide an airport with the ability to safely and efficiently accommodate the forecast growth in commercial service through 2020.
The need for the proposed airport relocation is based on current deficiencies in such areas as design standards, runway length, runway orientation, surrounding airspace, passenger facilities, and general aviation facilities. Because of the growth that is forecast in aviation activity, which is driven by population and economic growth in the area, these deficiencies are projected to increase substantially through 2020. Because the airport sits atop a mesa and cannot be expanded at this location, it must be relocated to a new site that is large enough to allow for expansion.
Population Growth
Population growth is a strong force influencing air travel demand. St. George and the surrounding area have been growing rapidly in the past several years. U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that St. George's population increased by 74% from 1990 to 2000 and Washington County 's population increased by 86% during the same time period. This population growth is expected to continue well into the future. The populations of St. George and Washington County in 2020 are forecast to be over 97% higher than they were in 2000.
Airport Activity Growth
The 2001 EA described actual airport activity for 1998 and forecasts for 2003 through 2018. Two sets of forecasts were prepared: (1) Constrained, which assumed that the current airport would remain in service, so future aviation activity would be constrained by the limitations of the existing airport and (2) Unconstrained, which assumed no airport facility limitations, representing the activity that could be expected if the airport was relocated to a new site. The EIS that is currently being developed will re-examine these forecasts and extend them to 2020.
Today, the airport can only accommodate small turboprop aircraft that carry no more than 30 passengers. If the airport remains in this constrained state, it will not be able to meet the forecast demand for future air service in the St. George area. However, by relocating to a new site, the airport will be poised to meet the unconstrained forecast, allowing newer, quiet, regional jets that carry 50 to 100 passengers to fly in and out of St. George.
Summary of Aviation Activity Forecasts, 1998-2018
Taken from the 2001 EA - Updated forecasts will be presented in the EIS
Takeoffs & Landings |
1998 |
2003 |
2008 |
2013 |
2018 |
Commercial Service |
|
|
|
|
|
Constrained |
4,242 |
5,110 |
5,840 |
7,200 |
9,490 |
Unconstrained |
8,760 |
8,760 |
9,490 |
10,220 |
10,220 |
General Aviation |
41,741 |
47,000 |
53,400 |
60,500 |
68,400 |
Military |
210 |
300 |
400 |
500 |
600 |
TOTAL ANNUAL TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS |
|||||
Total Constrained |
46,193 |
52,410 |
59,640 |
68,200 |
78,490 |
Total Unconstrained |
50,711 |
56,060 |
63,290 |
71,220 |
79,200 |
ENPLANED PASSENGERS |
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Constrained |
32,910 |
41,000 |
52,000 |
65,700 |
84,000 |
Unconstrained |
70,600 |
90,000 |
115,800 |
148,600 |
191,900 |
Existing Airport Deficiencies
Current airport deficiencies are projected to increase substantially with the forecast growth in commercial service through 2018. Because the existing airport sits atop a mesa and cannot be expanded at this location, it must be relocated to a new site that is large enough to allow for expansion. The table below lists the current airport deficiencies along with the projected remedies.
Existing Condition |
Projected Need |
Runway length: limited by topography to 6,606 feet |
Need no less than 8,000' and preferably 9,300' runway length to serve aircraft and flight distances projected for the replacement airport. |
Runway orientation: limited to north/south |
Need northeast/southwest runway orientation for better wind coverage. Would reduce exposure to crosswind conditions (i.e. when strong winds are not directly aligned with the runway). |
Runway approaches: limited to visual and non-precision |
Need precision instrument approaches* to enable landings when visibility is poor. Especially important for commercial flight operations. |
Federal airport classification: limits aircraft size (and number of passengers per flight) into and out of St. George |
Need classification that allows St. George to serve projected aircraft and number of passengers. Existing airport cannot serve commuter jets, which typically seat 50 to 100 passengers, but is limited to smaller turboprops that carry a maximum of 30 passengers. |
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Project Elements
The proposed relocation site for St. George Municipal Airport encompasses 1,306 acres and is located approximately five miles southeast of the City of St. George . Parts of the proposed site lie within the city limits of St. George and Washington City and in unincorporated Washington County .
The proposed relocation site would allow for development of a new single runway (oriented northeast/southwest) with an initial length of 8,000 to 9,300 feet. Due to topography, the runway at the existing airport site cannot be extended beyond its 6,606-foot length.
The passenger terminal, cargo facilities, corporate aviation facilities, and general aviation facilities at the proposed relocation site would be developed along the eastern side of the runway. An Airport Traffic Control Tower at the proposed site would be developed on the western side of the runway, near its midpoint. Two roads will provide access to the relocated airport. The main entrance road would be from the southeast, off the planned Southern Corridor Highway. Another entrance road would be developed on the western side of the airport, with the area alongside reserved for a future business park.
View the Proposed Relocation Site of St. George Municipal Airport
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View the Proposed Airport Layout Plan (ALP)
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