CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — Across the state, we ended winter with less snow than normal. We’ve shared with you what Department of Public Works crews do when there’s no snow. They fill potholes, trim trees and get ready for spring projects.

That prompted another question: Were airports able to take advantage of the bonus spring?

What You Need To Know

  • Crews at Buffalo Niagara International Airport checked off many spring cleaning items ahead of the season

  •  Preparations are underway to finish the other half of the main runway project

  • You can expect a change in air traffic patterns again as that gets underway

A sunny day when there should be snow means it’s time to test the 22-foot brooms.

“They’ve all been checked this morning, and we are ready to go,” said Dave Berghorn, airfield operations supervisor at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. “I’ve been 15 years here. I don't remember a winter this mild."

There’s been snow, and that’s no problem for this team. They’re internationally known for snow removal. Just like a highway department, they have a list of tasks when the flakes aren’t flying.

“We have to do roads and make sure the roads need cold patch just like any other thing,” Berghorn said. “Getting equipment ready, checking equipment, getting ready for the spring.”

You can add lawnmowers and drains to that list. What’s not on the list is maintenance on this snow melter, which burns through 135 tons of snow in an hour.

When was the last time it sat idle in the winter?

“Never,” Berghorn laughed and said.

Wildlife is also a slight downfall to abnormal weather.

“We must stay on it and on a day like today we had rain,” Berghorn said. “Gulls are an issue here at the airport.”

Crews are also getting a head start on prep for major construction projects.

“The big project is the 523-runway project that will go on as scheduled,” said NFTA Deputy Director of Aviation Russell Stark.

Last May, the $36 million project began. The first half of BNIA’s main runway has been resurfaced and has hundreds of new LED lights. You can expect air traffic patterns to change again for those 75 daily flights when work starts. The break from winter — despite a recent return — is welcome.

But Berghorn says the work can never stop. 

“You know, idle hands are evil hands,” Berghorn said. “But again, we have a lot of stuff to do around here. We got a lot of projects that we can move forward on.”