Located about 15 miles east of downtown St. Paul, Lake Elmo Airport is one of six reliever airports run by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). In operation since 1951, its two runways accommodate more than 32,000 annual landings and takeoffs. The airport recently undertook an ambitious runway relocation project—completed in June 2022—as a key part of its long-term comprehensive plan to ensure the airport’s infrastructure could accommodate anticipated traffic growth safely and efficiently.
Philip Tiedeman, the Lake Elmo airport manager, says several previous planning studies conducted for the airport recommended relocating and extending the primary runway (Runway 14-32) and extending the crosswind runway (Runway 4-22). “This comprehensive project, valued at $23.9 million, has been funded by more than $17.5 million in federal and state grants,” Tiedeman says.
The project started with an extensive planning phase, culminating in a four-year, four-phase construction process led by Lindsay Reidt of Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH). The project shifted the existing runway, extended it, and constructed a new runway; the former runway became a taxiway. “The purpose was getting the RPZs—the runway protection zones—all on airport property, which is an improvement for safer use and operations of the runway,” Reidt says.
Community feedback highlighted concerns regarding the re-routing of a local street near the airport, which required adding a curve so the street would go around the airport. Although the adjustment was necessary to create safe distances between roadways and the relocated runway, it faced initial community resistance.
“There were some concerns about lengthening travel time and making a curved road versus a straight road. That was accommodated by adding shoulders and getting a safer operational roadway in the end,” Reidt says.
Reidt notes that expanding the airport’s infrastructure also required careful stormwater management to handle the increase in impervious surfaces. To meet local and state requirements, the project incorporated a stormwater management system with retention basins, infiltration ponds, and mechanical evaporators. This complex system not only treats the water before it leaves the airport property but also controls its release rate to minimize environmental impact.
Beyond addressing physical and environmental concerns, the Lake Elmo runway project included operational upgrades. New LED lighting systems were installed across the runway, taxiways, and signage, which significantly enhance nighttime visibility and energy efficiency. Additionally, navaids were added to both ends of the runway, making the airport accessible to a broader range of pilots and aircraft in varied weather conditions.
For SEH’s airport design team, the project represented a rare opportunity to design and build an entirely new runway—making it a landmark project both for SEH and the MAC. “Typically, we’re extending or widening existing runways, but this project allowed us to start fresh and build from the ground up,” Reidt says.
—Emma McIntyre is the CTS communications intern.
