Collin County Commissioners pass resolution in support of McKinney National Airport extending runway to the north

In November, the McKinney National Airport received a $15 million grant from Texas Department of Transportation to conduct an environmental impact study to assess the best way to extend the airport’s runway another 1,500 feet, Airport Director Ken Carley said in a previous interview with Community Impact Newspaper.

Collin County Commissioners Court passed a resolution in support of the McKinney National Airport extending its runway more north than south, during a Jan. 6 meeting.

Commissioners said by extending the airport at least 1,000 feet north and 500 feet south, transportation projects, such as a future US 380 alignment to the south of the runway, could be more viable. Commissioners also said that the town of Fairview has expressed an interest in the runway extending north so it does not encroach on its land to the south.

According to the commissioners, to extend the runway more north than south, this will cost an additional $25 million on top of the $15 million awarded by TxDOT. Part of the resolution states that the county will work with TxDOT and other regional transportation partners to identify funding to cover the northward extension.

According to Carley, a runway extension will allow the airport to accommodate larger planes and aircraft taking longer distance trips or heavier airplanes carrying more fuel.

“The runway extension is one of the projects identified in our airport master plan for the one- to five-year time frame,” Carley said in an email. “It will allow aircraft using the airport to operate with higher useful loads, enhance safety and offer more flexibility for aircraft operators.”

However, the direction in which the runway will be extended is still undetermined.

The first step of the process will be an environmental assessment, according to the city of McKinney. The study will be followed by design and construction, which will likely begin in late 2021.