Lynchburg Regional Airport Launches Major Rehabilitation of Runway 4-22

Lynchburg Regional Airport Launches Major Rehabilitation of Runway 4-22
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) is moving forward with a key infrastructure upgrade this summer, the full rehabilitation of Runway 4-22, its longest and most heavily used runway. Construction is set to begin June 1 and will continue through the end of August, with additional work planned in the fall.

Like city streets, airport runways require regular resurfacing to remain safe and effective. Unlike roads, however, the work cannot be done in sections during the day. To minimize disruption to airline passengers and general aviation users, the project will be executed primarily at night and during extended weekend hours.

"This investment is vital to maintaining our operational integrity and ensuring the continued safety of both commercial and general aviation aircraft,” said Cedric Simon, Airport Director. “We’re committed to delivering a high-quality airfield environment while minimizing disruption to our passengers and partners.”

Runway 4-22 has served the airport reliably for decades; however, its asphalt has reached the end of its service life. The rehabilitation will include a “mill and fill” approach, where the top layers of the existing pavement are milled off and replaced with new asphalt. This method ensures a smooth, durable surface and will be implemented in 300-ft. sections per night. This phased approach allows construction to progress steadily while preserving daytime operations as much as possible.

The project will also correct grade inconsistencies along the runway to provide a smoother, more level surface, enhancing aircraft performance and safety. In addition, the runway’s lighting system will be fully upgraded to modern LED technology. These new lights will offer significantly improved brightness and visibility for pilots while using less energy and requiring less maintenance than traditional lighting. All work is being conducted to bring the airfield up to current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design and safety standards, ensuring the runway continues to meet federal benchmarks for safety, functionality, and longevity.

To accommodate construction, commercial flight schedules will be adjusted as follows:

• Weekdays: Flights will operate before 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and after 6:00 a.m.
• Weekends: Flights will operate before 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Saturdays and after 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Sundays.