Photos: Anchorage airport’s north-south runway reopened, offering some relief from jet noise

Updated: October 2, 2019 Published: September 30, 2019

An Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 freighter was the first heavy aircraft to take off to the north on Runway 33 on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, after the runway was closed the entire summer for construction. (Bill Roth / ADN)

The jet noise that has caused sleepless nights across much of Anchorage for months was reduced Monday with the reopening of the $73 million north-south runway at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

“It should mean that people who sleep at night can sleep a little sounder tonight, because there shouldn’t be any aircraft departing over the city,” said Eland G. Conway II, program manager for the airport.

The two-year construction project on Runway 15-33 has sent jets soaring over Anchorage neighborhoods since April, and last summer, too.

[Anchorage airport runway project is almost finished]

The project widened the runway from 150 to 200 feet to accommodate larger passenger and cargo aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747-8F.

A China Airlines Cargo jet was one of the last heavy aircraft to take off to the east over the city prior to the opening of the north-south runway on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, that was closed all summer for construction. (Bill Roth / ADN)

A Pen Air Saab 2000 was the first aircraft to take off to the north on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, after Runway 15-33 was closed all summer for construction. (Bill Roth / ADN)

An ACE Beech 1900C rolls out after landing to the north on Runway 33 on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. The runway was closed all summer for construction and had just reopened on Monday. (Bill Roth / ADN)

A Lynden Air Cargo Hercules climbs after taking off on Runway 33 on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Bill Roth

Bill Roth is a staff photojournalist at the Anchorage Daily News.

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or alex@adn.com.