BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport closing longest runway for months of construction

Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport will close its longest runway for a months-long rehabilitation project beginning next week. BWI officials said the airport will remain fully operational, with flight schedules modified in coordination with airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration. Communities near the airport may notice changes to flight patterns during the work. The closure affects Runway 10-28 from Wednesday, July 22 through October 8, according to airport officials. The project includes repaving the runway, improving drainage, and installing modern LED lighting. Officials said the 10,500-foot runway last underwent rehabilitation in 2012, and that pavement and electrical infrastructure have reached a point where updates are needed to maintain FAA safety standards. BWI is located just south of downtown Baltimore and is a major Southwest hub; the carrier announced two additional daily nonstop flights to Philadelphia starting next spring.