A runway at the Soldotna Municipal Airport reopened last week after getting a $7 million makeover from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Runway 7-25 was temporarily closed earlier this year while it underwent renovations that included repavement, removal of a hump in the middle of the runway and replacement of the runway’s edge lighting system. The runway is about 5,000 feet long and 132 feet wide with paved 12-foot shoulders.

Soldotna Public Works Director Kyle Kornelis told airport users at a meeting about the renovations in May that the city emphasized safety improvements when pitching the project to the FAA. The airport was able to keep its gravel runway and a parallel taxiway open for use throughout the renovations.

The revamped runway reopened on Sept. 29, with “minor” cleanup and finalization tasks remaining as of Oct. 14.

“The City would like to thank airport users for their patience during construction, as well as the FAA, design team, and contractor for their fine work on this project,” a release from the City of Soldotna says.

More information about the project can be found at https://www.soldotna.org/departments/runway-rehabilitation-project.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.