Clashes of infrastructure that see roads crossing runways are not exactly the best idea. After all, such intersections can prove to be inconvenient for both aircraft and road users, as well as having the potential to be a security risk. Nevertheless, there are a few cases where it happens and cannot be avoided. The most well-known - and busiest by far - is at Gibraltar, but there are others.
Gibraltar Airport
Without a doubt, the most well-known case of a road crossing a runway is at Gibraltar Airport (GIB). In fact, not only does it have a road crossing right across the only runway, but the road is the busy main entry highway to Gibraltar.
Gibraltar International Airport, also known as North Front Airport, was built in 1939 during the Second World War, and the runway has been extended since then. Today, this asphalt-paved strip, whose headings are 09/27, measures 1,776 meters (5,827 feet) in length. As traffic between the Spanish border and the center of Gibraltar has increased, its location has become more of a problem.
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This is because the runway completely blocks the route, and there is no alternative but to cross it. As such, the road is closed with barriers whenever an aircraft lands or takes off. However, waiting times have the potential to be worsened when aircraft (often) have to taxi or backtrack, which keeps the road closed for even longer.
Goa Dabolim International Airport
Another major airport that is often cited as having a road across the runway is Dabolim International Airport (GOI) in Goa, India. This is only partially true. It does have a road, and it does cross the runway, but it is not a public road. It serves the military facilities adjacent to the main airport runway. For many years, cars, bicycles and pedestrians would use this road for access, crossing between flights.
As part of improvement works carried out in 2018, a new peripheral road was built that allows traffic to avoid the runway crossing. The Times Of India quoted the airport vice-president explaining at the time how this would help movements:
"The taxiway will facilitate easy landing and take-off and will be a boon to Goa's tourism sector. Presently flights are also kept on hold for traffic to pass from a road that cuts through the airport area. As part of the works, a peripheral road has been developed and the local traffic will no longer affect flight movement."
Nauru International Airport, Micronesia
Nauru International Airport's (INU) only runway has been extended since it was originally built during the Second World War, and now cuts right through the surrounding town. Looking at the airport's position, it's amazing that it doesn't have a road right across it. Instead, the island's main ring road travels around the airport and across the runway threshold. Traffic stops whenever the runway is in use.
Sumburgh Airport, Scotland
Sumburgh Airport (LSI) is the main airport for Shetland in Scotland, south of the main town of Lerwick. It is an old military airport (RAF Sumburgh) that transferred to civil use. Two of the three RAF runways were kept in use, and the longest of these (runway 09/27) has a main road (the A970 that runs across the island) crossing its western end. There are barriers to close it when the runway is in use.
Roads under the runway
While there are only a few airports with roads crossing the airfield, there are many examples of roads passing under active runways or taxiways. This often involves airport entrance and approach roads, but there are cases of crossing major external highways too. Just a few significant examples include London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), and Singapore Changi (SIN).
Of course, this is much more practical and less inconvenient for users. This has long been realized at Gibraltar, and plans are underway to divert the road with a new tunnel being built under the airport. It is not clear when this will start being used, though. In any case, roads aren't the only things that can cross runways.
When a runway meets a railway
Indeed, as shown in the video above, Gisborne Airport (GIS) on New Zealand's North Island has an active railway across its 1,310-meter-long (4,298 feet) asphalt-paved runway 14R/32L. The railway in question is the Palmerston North–Gisborne Line, and Simple Flying took a closer look at the ins and outs of this fascinating facility back in December 2021. You can read our article on the matter here.
Have you ever used any of these airports, or the roads that cross them? Perhaps you know of other airports that have, or had in the past, roads across a runway? Do let us know in the comments!
Sources: The Times Of India