25 April 2022 – TORONTO, ONTARIO – This morning, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority’s (GTAA) President and CEO, Deborah Flint, welcomed The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Canada’s Minister of Transport, to Toronto Pearson for a ground-breaking ceremony to mark one of the largest runway rehabilitation projects in the airport’s history. Runway 06L/24R, Pearson’s second-busiest runway, will be temporarily closed to late fall for a complete rehabilitation. Modern innovation and advanced planning will allow Pearson to complete the project in eight months, and with a more sustainable approach.

First built in the 1960s, this 3-km runway requires a complete rehabilitation due to the wearing down of its concrete sub-structure because of weather conditions, use and time. This project will extend the life of the runway by 30 years and enhance the safety of the runway. The project will include the use of recycled materials and upgrades to 1,800 LED lights, which will help enhance safety and reduce its carbon footprint. Other environmentally friendly construction practices include using crushed concrete from the runway pavement removal for the sub-base and base materials, and recycled milling asphalt materials on approach roads in the vicinity of the runway.

About the Temporary closure of Runway 06L/24R

Like all major infrastructure, our runways need regular maintenance to keep them safe.

Starting in early April 2022, Pearson will temporarily close east/west runway 06L/24R, the airport’s second-busiest runway, for a full rehabilitation.

This project will be one of the largest runway repair projects in the airport’s history. The work will be completed in phases and will last to late Fall.

First built in the 1960s, this 3-km runway needs to be fully repaired due to the wearing down of its concrete sub-structure because of weather conditions, use and time. This project will extend the life of the runway by 30 years and enhance the safety of the runway.

Project overview

The work is scheduled to start in early April 2022 and last to late Fall 2022. Impacts will vary with the nature of the work and how it affects operations.

We are working in close partnership with our industry partners and construction contractor to deliver a project that minimizes impacts.

Despite these efforts, communities near the airport, including those who typically have fewer aircraft overhead, can expect more aircraft noise during the project.

It is important to remember, there is no permanent airspace change associated with this project and any impacts are temporary and only for the duration of the project.

More information at torontopearson.com/en/community/noise-management/runway-rehabilitation