MKAA Airfield Modernization and Runway 5L-23R Reconstruction

At the center of Tennessee’s growing eastern region, the McGhee Tyson Airport extended possibilities with a new runway. The $134 million expansion — the largest construction project in the airport’s 84-year history — required significant reconstruction. To meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design and safety standards, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority embarked on a multi-year Airfield Modernization Program.

CHA’s program management and final design reconstructed Runway 5L-23R and taxiway pavements within the runway safety area. The new 10,000-foot runway allows heavier planes to take off and remain in the air for extended periods, leading to fewer connections and more direct flights for passengers. Designed with innovative technology — planes can now take off and land in all weather conditions. This decade-long, phased project now allows aircraft to carry more fuel and passengers for longer distances — exceeding the aviation needs of the Tennessee community.