Pierce County Airport-Thun Field Runway to Close for $7.5M Construction Work
Jul 17, 2026, 11:38 AM
South Sound Business
Originally published on South Sound Business.
The Pierce County Airport-Thun Field runway will be closed for reconstruction to ensure its safety beginning July 27.
The airport determined that the runway has ended its useful service life and needs to undergo reconstruction so it can remain operational, according to a release. The runway will likely reopen sometime in November.
“This project safeguards a critical county asset,” Trent Smith, airport manager for the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department, said in the release. “By securing a new 20-to-30-year runway lifespan, this investment eliminates costly emergency repairs and preserves runway access for airport businesses, tenants, pilots, and emergency services.”
Reconstruction plans include widening the runway from 60 to 75 feet, improved drainage, new LED lighting, county-owned hangar revamps, and other upgrades.
Project funding comes from several grants, including ones from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Washington State Department of Transportation. The project is estimated to cost around $7.5 million.
