South Carolina’s Horry County Department of Airports (HCDA) today begins rehabilitation of Runway 18/36 at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). The department offered guidance for airport users last week on what to expect during the work, which is scheduled to continue through next spring. The airport operator said the goal is to keep the airport’s single runway operational as much as possible during peak operating hours, while it realizes delays and diversions will become necessary when the runway does become unusable. The runway-closure schedule outlines the operational impact of the $18 million project through its five phases. The runway work was slated to begin last night at 11:45 p.m. Through October 4, it will involve “soft” overnight closures between the last commercial flight of the day (around 10 p.m.) and around 6 a.m. each morning. From October 5 through November 23 there will be “hard” full-time runway closures. Additional “soft” overnight closures will then continue until March 29 next year. Under the current plan, all work will be completed by April 26 next year. Potential alternate airports in Horry County include Grand Strand (CRE), Conway Horry County (HYW) and Loris-Twin Cities (5J9). Pilots are urged to check current airport Notams for last-minute updates.