A key goal of the construction program underway at MSP is to expand the airport's operational capacity. Central to that effort is creation of a fourth runway. Runway 17/35, also called the north-south runway, was commissioned on October 27, 2005. The 8,000-foot runway increased MSP's airfield capacity by roughly 25 percent.

Development of the runway has involved many ancillary projects as well, including:

property acquisition
demolition of buildings located in the new runway's safety zone
construction of facilities to replace some of those eliminated for the runway
creation of aircraft taxiways to serve the new runway
building of vehicular access tunnels under the new runway and taxiways
pavement improvements to existing terminal aprons and runways
pouring of new concrete aprons around new or expanded terminal facilities
improved electronic aircraft guidance systems
installation of runway safety improvements
construction of de-icing facilities
realignment of roadways
development of new cargo facilities
creation of airport drainage ponds

Image of plane landing with airport in the far distance