The Airfield Safety Enhancement (ASE) Program is the most critical safety project in the history of the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA). The multi-year $400+ million project (in 2023 dollars) will transform the airfield layout at Tucson International Airport (TUS) to meet the latest safety standards established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Please note the current airfield is deemed safe by the FAA; however, standards have changed, and the TAA has prioritized this project and multi-phased approach to make TUS even safer.

Before breaking ground, ASE required more than 10 years of planning and design. The estimated 8 to10 years of construction includes the demolition, relocation, and replacement of a smaller parallel general aviation runway (8,400’ long by 75’ wide) with a new parallel runway (11,000’ x 150’) capable of handling commercial, military, and general aviation users, and modernized airfield geometry. More importantly, ASE is designed to enhance airfield safety, with a primary focus to eliminate confusion and runway incursions.

ASE Program Is Four Projects

The footprint for ASE is massive. When planners at the TAA identified that additional land would be necessary in a specific area of the airfield, a working group was formed with multiple stakeholders (FAA, Arizona Air National Guard 162^nd Wing, City of Tucson, Pima County, RTX, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) to negotiate a land exchange. The land exchange allowed TAA to acquire approximately 62 acres of USAF Plant 44 land, which allowed RTX to construct replacement magazine storage facilities, which will then allow TAA to install new, updated security perimeter fencing to Plant 44 and remove the existing magazine storage facility. Removal of the existing magazine storage facility is required as they impinge safety protected areas associated with runway 12R/30L. The land exchange, construction of new, replacement magazine storage facilities and removal of the existing magazine storage facility allows for continued expansion and investment in Southern Arizona for all participating parties.

This community-wide, collaborative approach to the planning and execution of ASE, led by TAA, was recognized by the Metropolitan Pima Alliance (MPA) at their 2022 annual awards ceremony. The TAA shared the 2022 MPA Common Ground Award with the FAA, Arizona Air National Guard 162^nd Wing (AANG), City of Tucson, Pima County, RTX, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In November of 2018, the FAA completed the required National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) analysis, an EIS (Environmental Impact Study), and issued a FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact) and ROD (Record of Decision).  Construction started in November of 2020 to build a new airfield electrical lighting vault to provide power to all the new runway and taxiway lighting.

In December 2022, the project achieved substantial completion of the new end-around taxiway (EAT), located at the west end of the airfield, that will ensure safe aircraft movement for airfield users. The project entailed the construction of new taxiways Foxtrot, Golf, and Delta 3. The project also included an investment from the Arizona Air National Guard to make improvements to its Arm/De-Arm Pad, Gate B Entrance, and installation of an aircraft barrier arresting kit (BAK) system on Runway 4/22.

January 2023 ushered in the next phase of ASE, which was the construction of a new outer Taxiway C. This new outboard taxiway is a key taxiway for airfield stakeholder access on the West and South side of TUS. Substantial completion of Taxiway C was reached in January 2025.

Taxiway C and the EAT are key, phased enabling projects within ASE. Each one provides for continued aircraft operations during construction as well as being permanent components of ASE. The goal is always to maintain a safe operational airfield, and these current projects do exactly that.

In 2023, initial funding was received from the FAA to allow the closure and re-construction of the small general aviation runway 12R/30L. This phase of construction consisted of grading, drainage, electrical, construction of the center and parallel Taxiway C. Subsequently, Additional FAA funding was received in 2024 and 2025, which allowed the concrete runway surface to begin construction. Runway 12R/30L is currently planned for completion in 2027, pending additional funding from the FAA.

Once funding has been secured for completing runway 12R/30L, TAA will be working to secure funding to commence the closure and construction work associated with runway 12L/30R, which includes relocating the landing threshold for runway 12L, relocation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) glideslope, relocation of runway edge lighting and signage, runway markings, and pavement rehabilitation. Subject to funding being made available, runway 12L/30R is anticipated to reopen for use in 2028 or 2029.

Timelines and progress are dependent on the availability of grant funding being provided by key stakeholders; FAA, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Aeronautics, and AANG. TAA continues to provide its own funding in support of ASE.

As a unique nonprofit created and developed by community business leaders and established by Arizona state charter in 1948, the TAA accepts zero local tax dollars. Large-scale development like ASE relies heavily on federal and state grants and on the revenue earned by the TAA, through its business enterprise, to pay for projects, programs, and initiatives.

While the completion of the ASE Program is contingent on numerous external factors, there is no denying the pride TAA feels about the progress made up to this point. As a regional catalyst that generates more than $10.9 billion in economic activity annually, we will continue to work nonstop for safety and for ASE to benefit our airfield users, our airline partners, and our Southern Arizona community. When our airport thrives, our community thrives!

ASE Program | Project Information

CMAR | Runway 12R/30L and Taxiways

Runway 12R/30L and Taxiways (CMAR)

Project includes:

• Construct a new electrical vault.
• Demolish existing general aviation runway relocate and construct a new commercial service runway.
• Construct a center taxiway between the existing and new parallel commercial runways.
• Construct an outer taxiway.
• Construct a new outboard parallel taxiway.
• Construct new connector taxiways.
• Construct a new Barrier Arresting Cable system for the Arizona Air National Guard.
• Perform sound attenuation at certain homes (as identified in the Environmental Impact Study).

DBB1 | End-Around Taxiway Project

Project includes:

• Construct new end-around taxiway and modify existing taxiways.

DBB2 | Earth Covered Magazine Demolition and Fencing

Project includes:

• Demolish 12 earth covered magazines and construct replacements.
• Expand airport safety area.

DBB3 | Runway 12R/30L Connector Taxiways

Project includes:

• Modify connectors and taxiways to commercial runway standards.
• Relocate aircraft guidance systems.

FAA Record of Decision – November 2018

TUS Implementation Study – May 2015

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