Valdez Pioneer Field Airport Master Plan Update State Program Number NFAPT00291 / Federal Program Number 3-02-0311-020-2017

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have conducted an Airport Master Plan Update for the Valdez Pioneer Field (VDZ) (Figure 1-1, 1-2). Supporting airports include Robe Lake (L93), Thompson Pass Airport (K55) and Whittier (PAWR) (Figure 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5). This Master Plan Update adheres to requirements set out in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5070-6B, Changes 1 and 2, Airport Master Plans.

The last VDZ Airport Master Plan was completed in 2004. An Airport Master Plan is a comprehensive study of an airport and describes the development plans to meet future aviation demand. Master Plans support the modernization or expansion of existing airports. The goal is to provide the framework needed to guide future airport investment over the next 20 years that will cost-effectively satisfy current and future aviation demand, while considering potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

VDZ is of strategic and economic importance to the State of Alaska. The airport serves the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), Valdez Marine Terminal, City of Valdez, and the Greater Copper Valley basin.

In the event of the construction of an Alaska natural gas pipeline or an event like the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill of 1989, the airport must handle a large amount of heavy payload aircraft. Accordingly, the airport is kept in an advanced state of readiness, and a Master Plan Update is needed to evaluate issues associated with such events.