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Aero and District 3 collaborate
to repair popular Garden Valley airstrip

In another collaboration effort, the Division of Aeronautics teamed up with the local district -- in this case District 3 Maintenance -- to rehabilitate a local airstrip. In late April, the teamwork produced a much-improved Garden Valley backcountry airstrip.

The airstrip ranks among the busiest in Idaho, according to Dan Conner, Airport Manager with Aero. During peak summer months, several hundred aircraft use the strip. It serves as a gateway to premiere camping, fishing, and rafting in Idaho’s Central Mountains. It is also used by the U.S. Forest Service for fire suppression activity.

“The strip was rutted from its regular use, mostly a result of what’s called prop-wash,” said Connor. “Aircraft preparing for takeoff can generate wind with such high force that it can erode the soil if the vegetation doesn’t have a great root system. Over time, you end up with basically 100 yards of rollercoaster dips.”

A maintenance crew was pulled together, led by Cascade Foreman Brian Inwards. They brought in several dump trucks of new earth to the airstrip. It was placed and graded to create a much smoother landing. New seed was spread so vegetation can preserve the new strip.

“The crew enjoys projects like this, and working with Aeronautics gives them a break from normal highway maintenance and a chance to see other areas of ITD’s responsibility," Inwards said.

The crew made the most of the project and checked off a few other maintenance items. included regrading a driveway, dropping off rip-rap for a future riverbank armament project, and offering subject matter expertise on future culvert projects.

This project is an example of ITD’s One Highways vision by maximizing limited resources to provide excellent service. Connor says Aero’s maintenance crew has been cut from five staffers to two. Aero’s smaller equipment can make large projects like this one time-consuming, so the help is appreciated.

Utilizing the larger equipment and operators from Highways helps preserve the sterling reputation of backcountry flying in Idaho.

“Aero’s amazing maintenance staff has a big footprint for a small crew to keep everything up to our high standards,” said Connor. “As budgets have gotten tighter and the crews smalerl, it was making it more difficult to keep up the reputation of the greatest place to come visit the backcountry. We had to start thinking outside the box.”

The relationship has been a two-fold benefit. Aero can take advantage of Highways' resources, and it also provides a great opportunity for newer operators to train on equipment safely away from live traffic on the highway.

”Being able to operate the equipment away from live traffic builds confidence in the new operators and helps develop their skills" Inwards explained, "These backcountry airstrips are the perfect location to do this while also helping out the Aeronautics crew."

Stepping outside established protocols has been a great benefit to both Aero and Highways – and by extension the Idaho taxpayer. Decisions are being made where the work is being done, professional development is expanding, and the public benefits from the hard work. To channel Director Ness, this project is a highlight of what makes ITD “the best transportatio department in the country."