Around the metro: Pipe break causes airport runway hole

Des Moines airport officials are working to fix a hole in a runway caused by a broken storm water line.

Airport employees first noticed the hole in late July, said airport Executive Director Kevin Foley.

The broken water pipe caused a washout, creating a cavity underneath the runway. Foley said workers have exposed the entire section of pipe to make sure no other cavities exist.

The hole to be repaired is about 22 feet wide and 150 feet long. It runs diagonally across the airport’s northwest-southeast runway, which is about 9,000 feet long and 150 feet wide.

Foley said repairs are expected to cost about $250,000.

There have been no passenger or plane delays caused by the repairs, he said.

Repairs are expected to be complete by Aug. 22.