Hartsfield-Jackson’s $141M runway plan would also remove two taxiways

A proposed $141.24 million reconstruction of Hartsfield-Jackson’s Runway 9L/27R would replace runway and connecting-taxiway concrete—and remove Taxiways M4 and M18 altogether. Atlanta’s Transportation Committee is scheduled to consider the agreement at 10 a.m. Monday, November 9.⁠[1]

Resolution 26-R-4419 would authorize an agreement with Matthews-Kelly, a joint venture of C.W. Matthews Contracting Company and Kelly Construction Company. The airport general manager and chief procurement officer recommend the award. Its scope calls for full-depth concrete replacement on the runway and seven adjoining taxiways.⁠[1]

The accompanying grant description says the work includes runway pavement not replaced in 2019, along with drainage, lighting and shoulders. After M4 and M18 are demolished, their sites would be graded and grassed.⁠[1]

The proposed agreement’s funding combines $30,666,909 and $44,558,745 in FAA grants—$75,225,654 together—with $66,014,346 from the Aviation Encumbrance Program. Two separate ordinances, 26-O-1608 and 26-O-1609, would add the federal money to the airport budget.⁠[1]

The grant ordinances describe federal reimbursement of 75% of allowable costs for their respective construction phases. That is not a promise that the FAA will pay three-quarters of the entire $141.24 million agreement. Council referred both budget measures to committee November 2; they are listed for second reading Monday, not as completed appropriations.⁠[1]

The timing needs a careful reading, too. The proposed agreement expects substantial completion of the entire project within 213 calendar days of a notice to proceed. A separate city budget summary describes a 60-day, round-the-clock runway project. Those are differently described milestones, not evidence of a delay or a confirmed 213-day runway shutdown. The records reviewed do not establish construction start dates, a closure schedule or effects on flights.⁠[1][2]

The construction resolution’s workflow lists full Council consideration as pending for November 16. Even authorization would not itself create a binding agreement: the proposal requires legal approval, execution by the mayor or a designee, the municipal clerk’s attestation and delivery to Matthews-Kelly.⁠[1]