Construction Updates

Owl Creek Trail is in its new, permanent alignment and paving was completed on Thursday, October 29.

Paving work on Owl Creek Road was completed on Saturday, October 31, and both lanes have reopened to traffic, with one lane in each direction. Crews plan to complete roadway striping this week, weather permitting, with work anticipated on Wednesday or Thursday, November 4 or 5.

Remaining work on Owl Creek Road includes ditch finishing, topsoil placement, and seeding. This work will require intermittent lane closures with temporary traffic control in place during either day or night shifts. Lane closures will only be in effect while crews are actively working. When crews are not working, Owl Creek Road will remain open with one lane in each direction.

Paving of the State Highway 82 shoulder widening and the apron at the construction entrance was also completed on Saturday, October 31. A small amount of shoulder-up work adjacent to the new asphalt remains and is expected to be completed over the next few days, weather permitting. Once this work is finished, crews will begin removing the temporary traffic control signs and barrels along the shoulder.

All remaining work is weather dependent. Thank you for your continued patience.

Drivers and trail users should expect construction activity near Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) from Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 31, as paving continues for the Airport Modernization Program. Work is scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Highway 82: A single eastbound (up valley) lane closure will be in place near the airport. Drivers should anticipate delays and allow extra travel time.

Owl Creek Road: Alternating one-lane traffic will be in place during paving operations, with flaggers directing vehicles through the work zone.

Owl Creek Trail: The trail will remain open during construction, with flaggers in place due to paving activity directly adjacent to the trail. Trail users are encouraged to slow down and use caution. Paving of the trail is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, weather permitting.

All drivers and trail users should follow posted signs and flagger directions. Construction schedules are subject to change based on weather and road conditions.

Paving operations are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Highway 82 near the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport and on Owl Creek Road.

On Highway 82, crews will implement a single-lane closure in the upvalley (eastbound) direction. On Owl Creek Road, motorists should expect alternating one-lane traffic with flaggers directing vehicles through the work zone.

Delays are expected in both areas, and motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Construction schedules are subject to change based on weather and road conditions.

As preparations continue for the 2027 runway reconstruction, additional nighttime hauling operations are planned to bring construction materials to the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved an emergency resolution allowing Elam Construction to conduct nighttime hauling between Oct. 19 and Nov. 24, 2026, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Trucks will transport materials from the Elam gravel pit in Woody Creek to the airport via Smith Hill Way and Highway 82. Stockpiling these materials ahead of construction will help keep the runway project on schedule and reduce the amount of hauling needed during daytime traffic hours.

Nighttime activity at the gravel pit will be limited to loading and hauling, with no crushing or asphalt production. Noise and traffic control requirements will remain in place, and nearby residents will receive advance notice of operations.

Motorists may notice additional truck traffic along Highway 82 during these hours and are encouraged to use caution near construction vehicles.

Construction continues along Owl Creek Road and near the Airport Operations Center as crews make progress on utility improvements, retaining walls and preparations for paving.

Crews are nearing completion of the retaining walls along Owl Creek Road and are continuing drainage improvements and grading work. Paving of Owl Creek Road and Trail is tentatively scheduled for October 28, an important step toward reopening the road in its new alignment.

Additional paving near the airport entrance and Airport Operations Center is for October 29-30. Temporary lane closures on Highway 82 are expected October 28-30, although exact dates and traffic impacts are still being finalized. More information will be shared once the schedule is confirmed.

Utility work also continues near the Airport Operations Center, including waterline and electrical improvements. Crews are coordinating with airport staff to maintain access during construction.

Dust-control measures remain in place throughout the construction area. Travelers should use caution near active work zones and allow extra time when traveling to and from the airport.

All construction dates are subject to change based on weather and site conditions.

Highway 82 Traffic Impacts and Upcoming Paving

A shoulder closure will remain in place on Highway 82 near Aspen/Pitkin County Airport through most of October. Lane closures are anticipated October 28-30 to accommodate paving work.

Paving is planned for portions of Highway 82, Owl Creek Road, Owl Creek Trail and the Airport Operations Center (AOC) parking lot October 28-30. Dates are subject to change based on weather and construction conditions.

Dust Mitigation

Crews continue using water trucks to manage dust throughout the construction area. Additional dust-control measures, including revegetation and winter mitigation strategies, are being coordinated as work progresses.

We appreciate the community’s patience as construction continues.

Construction continues to move forward around Owl Creek Road as crews prepare the area for the 2027 runway reconstruction.

Crews are continuing to prepare the relocated portion of Owl Creek Road for paving. Construction of new retaining walls is also beginning, another step toward completing the new road alignment.

Utility work continues throughout the area, with crews relocating power and communications lines to make way for future construction. Several of these utility relocations are expected to be completed in early October.

Elsewhere on the site, crews are preparing the batch plant area that will support construction next year and testing materials that will be used during the runway reconstruction.

Beginning the week of Sept. 28, travelers should expect lane closures on Highway 82 near Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

Lane closures are anticipated Monday through Saturday through Oct. 10. Highway 82 will remain open in its normal configuration on Sundays and during the 6–9 a.m. morning commute, with lane closures occurring outside of those hours (10 a.m. through 7 a.m.).

This work is all part of preparing the site ahead of the airport closure and runway reconstruction: April 4, 2027 at 11 p.m. through November 19, 2027 at 7 p.m.

Construction continues around the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport as crews make progress on enabling work ahead of the 2027 runway reconstruction.

Beginning the week of Sept. 28, travelers should expect lane closures on Highway 82 near the airport as construction continues. Lane closures are anticipated Monday through Saturday for two weeks, during the weeks of Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. Highway 82 will remain open in its normal configuration during the 6–9 a.m. morning commute, with lane closures occurring outside of those hours.

Along Owl Creek Road, crews continue waterline installation and utility relocations, including work with Holy Cross, Lumen and Comcast. The Owl Creek Trail is now in a temporary alignment, which is expected to remain in place for approximately six weeks. Additional fencing is being installed to more clearly separate trail users from the active construction area. The additional fencing should be in place by the end of this weekend, Sept. 21.

Work is also progressing on the retaining wall, with crews preparing the leveling pad, drainage and installation of the first blocks on the north wall. Crews continue preparing the batch plant and staging areas that will support next year’s runway construction.

Despite recent wet weather, the waterline and retaining wall work remain on track for the season.

• Haul road from Owl Creek to hay fields and office area constructed and reinforced
• Office trailer yard constructed down valley from AOC
• Temporary piping delivered
• New water line pipes delivered
• Earthmoving Permit 2 received
• Stockpiling of materials has begun on west side – some completed during night operations

• Work began on 7/27/2026
• One Lane/Two way traffic with temporary traffic lights (alternating)
• Clearing and Grubbing completed
• Utility Relocations – potholing to confirm location
• Trail will continue on current alignment for the next several weeks

• Waterline to begin from Airport Operations Center to south of Airport
• Continued Owl Creek Road relocation
• Two crews to continue utility relocations
• Owl Creek Trail work to begin – flaggers when needed
• CDOT Temporary Access from north to begin once permitting completed
• Stockpiling to likely transition to day work with clearances

• Terminal/Landside CMAR selected: Kiewit/FCI Joint Venture
• CMAR Contracting in progress
• CMAR working with design team on Phasing/Value Engineering for DD phase 1
• Technical Working Groups wrapped up work the week of 8/10, with Alignment design measures being incorporated into drawing updates:
  • Sustainability & Systems
  • Site & Phasing
  • Commercial Apron, Gates & Hold Rooms
  • Terminal Architecture

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport has selected Kiewit/FCI, a Joint Venture, as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the Airport Modernization Program’s terminal and landside project. The selection follows a competitive, two-phase qualifications-based process and marks the beginning of the next phase of collaboration as the project advances through design.

Project Update

• Kiewit/FCI, a Joint Venture, has been selected as the CMAR for the terminal and landside project.
• The CMAR team will work alongside Pitkin County, airport staff, the program management team and design consultants during preconstruction to refine construction sequencing, project logistics, schedules and cost estimates before construction begins.
• Early collaboration between the design and construction teams helps identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce risk and prepare for future construction.
• While Kiewit Infrastructure is leading the runway project, the terminal project will be managed by a separate, dedicated Kiewit/FCI team focused exclusively on the terminal and landside improvements.

This work will continue through October 2026 and prepares the site for the airport’s temporary closure from Sunday, April 4, 2027, at 11:00 p.m. through Friday, November 19, 2027, at 7:00 p.m.

Why It Matters

Selecting the terminal CMAR brings construction expertise into the project early, allowing the team to work alongside designers to refine plans, improve constructability, manage costs and reduce potential risks before construction begins. This collaborative approach helps keep the Airport Modernization Project on schedule while ensuring the new terminal is delivered as efficiently as possible.

The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport officially broke ground on the Airport Modernization Project on July 15, marking the ceremonial start of construction on the voter-approved effort to improve airfield safety, modernize aging infrastructure and prepare the airport to serve the Roaring Fork Valley for generations to come.

The groundbreaking brought together Pitkin County leaders, airport staff, project partners, elected officials and community partners to celebrate this historic milestone after years of planning, community engagement and collaboration. For more information, read the press release.

Project Information

For more information about the Airport Modernization Project, visit aspenairport.com/modernization or sign up to receive Frequent Flyer Updates for the latest construction news, traffic advisories, and project milestones.

EXPECT DELAYS: Owl Creek Road Traffic Begins the Week of July 27

The first phase of construction for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Modernization Project will begin the week of July 27, with early project work to prepare the site for the airport’s 2027 runway reconstruction. Motorists traveling on Owl Creek Road should expect alternating single-lane traffic and brief delays through the construction area. Electronic message boards will be installed the week of July 13 to notify travelers of the upcoming traffic changes.

Construction activities and associated traffic impacts are expected to continue through October 2026.

Travel Impacts

• Alternating single-lane traffic on Owl Creek Road beginning the week of July 27.
• Brief travel delays are expected throughout construction.
• The Owl Creek Trail will remain open; however, users should use caution around construction equipment.
• Electronic message boards will be installed the week of July 13 to provide advance notice of traffic changes.
• Traffic impacts are expected through October 2026.

Project Benefits

This early project work prepares the site for the airport’s 2027 runway reconstruction and helps keep the Airport Modernization Project on schedule. Work includes realigning Owl Creek Road to accommodate the future runway alignment, relocating utilities, extending the Owl Creek culvert, shifting the Airport Operations Center parking lot, and establishing temporary construction access and staging areas that will support runway reconstruction during the airport’s temporary closure in 2027.

Project Information

For more information about the Airport Modernization Project, visit aspenairport.com/modernization or sign up to receive Frequent Flyer Updates for the latest construction news, traffic advisories, and project milestones.

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) has announced the schedule for its temporary closure to complete the runway reconstruction phase of the Airport Modernization Project. The airport will close to all aircraft operations beginning Sunday, April 4, 2027, at 11:00 p.m., and is scheduled to reopen Friday, November 19, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. To read the press release, click here.

What This Means

• The airport will be closed to all commercial and general aviation operations from 11:00 p.m. on April 4, 2027, through 7:00 p.m. on November 19, 2027.
• During the closure, crews will reconstruct and shift the runway to meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards.

Why It Matters

The runway reconstruction is one of the most significant components of the Airport Modernization Project and is essential to improving airfield safety and bringing the airport into compliance with current FAA design standards. Establishing the closure schedule now provides certainty for long-term planning while allowing project teams to continue coordinating transportation, business continuity, and community outreach efforts ahead of 2027.

Project Information

For more information about the Airport Modernization Project, visit aspenairport.com/modernization or sign up to receive Frequent Flyer Updates for the latest construction news, traffic advisories, and project milestones.

Pitkin County has selected Kiewit Infrastructure as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) Runway Reconstruction Project. The selection marks a significant milestone as the Airport Modernization Project advances toward the 2027 runway reconstruction.

As CMAR, Kiewit will work alongside the airport, project management team, and design consultants during the design phase to support planning, refine construction sequencing, develop project pricing, and prepare for construction. This collaborative approach helps ensure the project remains on schedule ahead of the airport’s temporary closure.

What This Means

• Kiewit Infrastructure will partner with the project team throughout design and preconstruction planning.
• The contractor will provide input on construction sequencing, scheduling, cost estimating, and logistics before construction begins.
• Early collaboration helps prepare for the 2027 runway reconstruction and supports the project’s overall schedule.

Why It Matters

Selecting a CMAR early in the process allows the project team to finalize planning and coordinate construction activities well before the 2027 runway reconstruction. This milestone represents another step forward in delivering the Airport Modernization Project and preparing for the airport’s temporary closure to reconstruct and shift the runway to meet current FAA design standards.

Project Information

For more information about the Airport Modernization Project, visit aspenairport.com/modernization or sign up to receive Frequent Flyer Updates for the latest construction news, traffic advisories, and project milestones.