Current Construction Projects at MSO

There's been a lot of changes at Missoula International Airport the last few years, and there's a lot more yet to come. Thanks to you, our passengers, airlines and air cargo carriers, and the expanding corporate, aerial firefighting, and general aviation community, MSO continues to be one of the fastest growing airports in the region.

We invite you to take a look at some of the improvements we've made recently, as well as some of the changes that are just around the corner. Once again, we would like to thank you for making MSO a premier aviation facility, and the Gateway to Western Montana.

 Current Construction and Equipment Acquisition Projects


Terminal Expansion and Security Relocation Project

Current Project Status: Complete
The project includes a new 18,000-square-foot terminal building expansion, a new gift shop, upper-level observation area, and several depictions of Glacial Lake Missoula on the walls and carpeting. The new addition takes advantage of natural lighting thanks to several large skylights. Outside, a new radiant heating system will also be used for the first time at MSO to help keep exterior walkways clear of snow and ice during the winter months.

The terminal expansion is the first phase of what will be an entirely new terminal building as this newest addition will one day become the airport's center as additional wings and concourses are added on. For more information, click here.


East Ramp Reconstruction Project

Current Project Status: Complete
The purpose of this project was to reconstruct the general aviation ramp located to the east of the Minuteman Aviation Maintenance facility. The project included completely demolishing the old asphalt pavement, grading, new drainage and utility systems installations, new base material and asphalt, lighting, pavement markings and striping, and new aircraft tie-down locations. The final cost was approximately $1.2 million, and $90,000 under the budget.


Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Building (ARFF)

Current Project Status: Complete
The purpose of this project was to construct a second air rescue firefighting (ARFF) station to house an ARFF truck at the terminal building. MSO's primary fire station is located on the west side of the airport near the intersection of Taxiway Golf . Construction of the new satellite fire station began after Labor Day in 2006 and is 100% complete. One of our ARFF trucks is now located in the new facility. The final cost was approximately $324,000.


Delta and United Passenger Loading Bridges

Current Project Status: Complete
You have to wonder how many passengers have walked through these 30 year-old jetways. Unfortunately, the old Delta and United Airlines bridges were beyond repair, and getting spare parts was next to impossible. The new bridges, built by FMC Jetway Systems, became operational in October 2006, and feature the latest in technology and safety systems, including closed circuit television systems and baggage elevators. The project budget was $767,000.


Explosives Detection System (EDS)

Current Project Status: Complete
Missoula International Airport is undergoing one of its largest ever security upgrades. A terminal building expansion was recently constructed to serve as a new security screening checkpoint. In addition, the airport was selected by the Transportation Security Administration to receive 2 Explosive Detection System machines. The EDS units are designed to detect explosives in baggage and are state-of-the-art machines which provide a less intrusive but extremely thorough screening of baggage. No cost to the airport.


Localizer and Glide Slope Relocation Project

Current Project Status: Complete
The purpose of this project is to relocate the Glide Slope facility to the opposite side of the runway so aircraft taxiing down parallel Taxiway Alpha will not have to hold short prior to proceeding down the taxiway in front of the glideslope. Currently, aircraft have to hold short in order to prevent blocking or interfering with radio navigation signals transmitted to aircraft on approach to Runway 11.

This project consists of grading and site preparation work prior to relocating the Instrument Landing System (ILS) Glide Slope and Localizer facilities. Work began in August of 2006. The project involved moving over 400,000 cubic yards of material to build up the approach end of Runway 29 so that the localizer antenna could be relocated. This antenna will be relocated during the Runway 11-29 reconstruction project scheduled to begin during the summer of 2007 (see below).


Runway 11-29 Reconstruction Project

Current Project Status: Complete
This massive project involves the reconstruction of MSO's primary arrival and departure runway, known as 11-29. Specifically, the old asphalt will be removed and replaced with over 30,000 tons of new asphalt along the entire length of the 9,500 foot runway. The project will also include grooving the entire runway, new markings and striping, signs, and a new runway lighting system.

Meetings were held to determine the best time to complete this project with as little impact to the traveling public as possible. It was determined that a "rolling closure" at the end of the summer would have the least impact. The project will be accomplished in three phases. Each phase will require the airport be closed for a brief period of time. For more information about the Runway 11-29 Project, click here.


Missoula International Airport Security System Upgrades

Current Project Status: In Process
This project includes the design, purchase and installation of a new Closed Circuit Television System. The system will allow for the monitoring of all activity in the Security Identification Display Areas (SIDA), Airport Operations Areas, public areas and the security checkpoint. This project also includes the purchase and installation of new security gates with access control features to the Airport Operations Area. The current gates average over 15 years old and have outlived their useful life. Parts for the gates are hard to find and the gates are often down for maintenance.The total cost of the project is estimated to be $800,000 and will be funded by Passenger Facility Charges.


MSO Air Traffic Control Tower Project

Current Project Status: In Process
One of MSO's biggest projects. While the picture to the left is actually the new tower in Deer Valley, Arizona, we hope to be posting our own photos soon. MSO currently has approximately $7.3 million available for the estimated $9 million tower. The existing Missoula control tower began operations in 1961. Today, the 46 year-old tower is showing its age. Out-dated building codes, fire safety standards, asbestos building materials, and new security issues are a few of the concerns prompting its replacement. In 2001, MSO received the first federal appropriation to begin planning for the new ATC facility.

Using a sophisticated simulator, a “virtual tower” was created to evaluate various locations around the airport. The study took into consideration the topography for each potential site, the surrounding environment, sun angles, viewing angles, future airport build-outs, a new parallel Runway, and potential interference to electronic navigational aids. Following the study, it was recommended that a 150 (est.) foot tower be constructed on the southwest side of the airport, approximately 4000 feet from the existing tower.


Deicing Apron Design and Construction

Current Project Status: Design March 08
The purpose of this project is to design an expansion of the existing terminal apron to be used as a deicing facility. Aircraft deicing is done on the ground prior to departure by spraying the aircraft with a heated glycol deicing or anti-icing fluid. The pad will contain a system of storm drains that will capture runoff deicing fluids.


Northwest Airlines Loading Bridge

Current Project Status: September 2008
This project includes the purchase and installation of a new passenger loading bridge for Northwest Airlines. The bridge will be moveable to provide flexibility as the Airport develops and aircraft mix evolves. The bridge will replace an existing obsolete bridge which was installed back when Jimmy Carter was President. Replacement parts are hard to locate and consequently are very expensive. The estimated cost for the new jetway is approximately $400,000 and would be funded under MSO's new Passenger Facility Charge application.


Missoula Airport Master Plan Update

Current Project Status: October 2007
Airports typically complete a Master Plan Update ever 5-8 years. The last Master Plan for Missoula International Airport was completed in 1996. This plan will inventory existing facilities, forecast future growth and focus on areas that need to be developed to accommodate this growth. Areas of special interest for the airport include the parallel runway, the crosswind runway, future terminal development, and non-aviation land development. A Master Plan has been included in the ACIP for the fiscal year 2007 budget with an estimated cost of $300,000.

This project is currently underway. The consultant is focused on the Terminal/GA development part of the study, as well as the land development to the south.

Page Last updated October 30, 2007