This QAP project included reconstruction of existing airport runways, development of a wider safety area, and upgrading electrical lighting. The project was bid in 2006 and is slated to finish in 2009.
As no local materials were available, all aggregate materials were barged in from outside sources. This presented unique access challenges since Norton Sound is very shallow within a mile of the shore and winds and tides created few opportunities to load and unload barges.
QAP decided to bring in the D-1 leveling course from St. Michaels village 50 miles away. It too was affected by the tides and shallow waters which caused barges to be held to a 6 ft. draft designated for light loads. In addition, the asphalt aggregate was barged in from Nome 150 miles away. In both instances, supplies were first hauled with bigger barges to the Sound, then transferred via conveyors to smaller barges to get materials to shore. The total D-1 hauled from St. Michaels was 129,000 tons; while the asphalt aggregate delivered from Nome totaled 38,400 tons.
