SFO Runway Repaving Project Ahead of Schedule, Expected to Reopen Early
Runway 1 Right to open no later than September 29th, revised FAA procedures improve arrival rates
SAN FRANCISCO – September 16, 2026 – The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced today that its runway repaving project is ahead of schedule and that the associated runway closure would conclude earlier than anticipated, with Runway 1 Right expected to reopen no later than Tuesday, September 29th.
SFO closed the runway on March 30, 2026, to repave the surface layer, make improvements to adjacent taxiways, upgrade lighting, and paint new striping and markings. This closure was anticipated to reduce the number of aircraft that can arrive each hour from a maximum of 54 flights down to 45 flights.
On the same date the runway closure began, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a new arrival procedure that discontinued side-by-side approaches during clear weather, further reducing the number of aircraft that can arrive each hour to 36 flights.
The reopening of the runway, combined with revised FAA procedures allowing modified parallel landings, are expected to increase the number of aircraft that can arrive each hour to 45-48 flights. As a result, SFO expects a significantly reduced potential for delays when weather is not a factor.
On May 6, 2025, Granite Construction Company, was awarded the contract for this work. The total project cost is expected to be $215 million, of which $92.1 million will be funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The project accomplished the following:
- Poured 200,000 tons of asphalt; enough to repave the Golden Gate Bridge 11 times
- Replaced 64 miles of electrical cable, enough to encircle San Francisco twice
- Painted new markings and signage, enough to cover 12 acres
- Installed 2,440 new light fixtures
- Replaced 88 guidance signs
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