Free airport shuttle during runway closure
By Cory Hatch, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
April 16, 2009
The Jackson Hole Airport will subsidize shuttle service to and from Idaho Falls for the roughly 600 passengers affected by a runway construction project that will close the airport beginning May 25.
The airport will be closed for 5 1/2 days during which time scheduled aircraft will land at Idaho Falls. The free shuttle will transport passengers from there, a drive of about two hours.
Officials said at a meeting Wednesday the contract for the runway resurfacing project will likely go to HK Contractors Inc., who bid $4.6 million.
Night work on the runway is slated to start May 4. The contractor will incrementally grind off sections of the old surface, repaving the base coat before flights arrive the next morning.
Work on the final layer of the runway, called a porous friction runway surface, will close the airport starting at 6 p.m. May 25 and ending May 31. The closure could last longer if weather delays the construction.
Delta and United Airlines are the only commercial carriers scheduled into Jackson Hole during the period, and will reroute flights to Idaho Falls. Both airlines have agreed not to charge change fees for Jackson Hole passengers during construction.
Car rental companies agreed to minimize fees charged people who rent cars in Jackson and wish to drop them off at Idaho Falls.
The airport board also agreed to an offer from Alltrans owner John Pearson, who told board members he was prepared to provide transportation for passengers rerouted to Idaho Falls for a fee of $25 per person. The airport will pick up the charges.
“Alltrans would like to meet every flight, just like we do at Jackson Hole Airport,” he said.
Board member Jack Larimer said the board should subsidize the shuttle service, calling the closure a “major inconvenience” for some passengers.
Board chairman Jerry Blann agreed.
“I think this is the right thing to do,” he said.
The airport will have a representative at Idaho Falls to resolve any problems with rerouted passengers.
Heather Falk, tourism manager for Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, plans to send information on the closure to 98 concierge desks across Teton County.
