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For the record, my question is not about mistakenly using a taxiway as a runway.

I've noticed recent changes to the sectional and TAC VFR maps around Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK/KOAK) - it appears that Taxiway W is being "promoted" to a runway close to, and parallel to, Runway 12/30.

Based on the airport map (PDF) and confirmed by the Google Earth image below, aircraft departing and landing on 12/30 (presumably soon-to-be 12R/30L) will have to taxi up or down this new runway. From the looks of it, this runway will just be marginally long enough (about 7200 ft / 2195 m) to handle short-range commercial operations; certainly the longer runway will still need to be used.

This then begs the question: How would airport operations be affected if both runways were active?

enter image description here From Google Earth and Skyvector.com

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    $\begingroup$ Your link to the airport diagram was via IP Address (155.178.201.160), which is risky, because we have no idea what site we're visiting (even though it is likely an FAA site). I changed your link to the well known SkyVector site. $\endgroup$
    – abelenky
    Feb 23, 2018 at 21:08
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    $\begingroup$ This happened in September 2017, and was only temporary while they closed the main runway for repaving. They did the same thing in 2001. The problem is OAK only has one runway long enough for widebodies/international flights, so shutting it down isn't an option. $\endgroup$
    – user71659
    Feb 23, 2018 at 21:10
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    $\begingroup$ @user71659 that sounds like an answer. $\endgroup$
    – Peter Green
    Feb 23, 2018 at 21:24
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    $\begingroup$ @abelenky: I only linked what the airnav.com site had, but thank you for fixing this. $\endgroup$
    – pr1268
    Feb 23, 2018 at 21:26
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    $\begingroup$ @PeterGreen I was expecting the answer to be something like the runways are too close for simultaneous operations, and FAA standards require Part 139 runways to have parallel taxiways. $\endgroup$
    – user71659
    Feb 23, 2018 at 21:57

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Oakland airport runway 12/30 is undergoing a "Rehabilitation" and during the rehabilitation taxiway Whiskey (W) will be serving as an alternate runway.

Therefore, your question "How would airport operations be affected if both runways were active" won't be an issue. Please see the notice below.

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ Just curious, what is the date of this notice? I couldn't find it on www.oaklandairport.com. $\endgroup$
    – pr1268
    Feb 23, 2018 at 23:51
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    $\begingroup$ @p1268 - the date on the bottom of the page (it's two pages) shows it was "announced" on May 31, 2017. oaklandairport.com/wp-content/uploads/… $\endgroup$
    – 757toga
    Feb 23, 2018 at 23:55
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    $\begingroup$ This plan sounds like it could lead to pilots lining up wrong for landing and (at best) having to go around when they see the construction equipment in their way. How would the airport mitigate this possibility? $\endgroup$
    – Michael Seifert
    Feb 24, 2018 at 23:51
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    $\begingroup$ @MichaelSeifert - this should not really be a problem if the pilot reads the appropriate NOTAM and reviews the airport diagram prior to arrival. Also, ATC would typical be extra vigilant to ensure that aircraft landing on (alternate 12/30) are lined up correctly. $\endgroup$
    – 757toga
    Feb 25, 2018 at 0:05
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    $\begingroup$ Presumably they will also place one of those big flashing X's that are used during any other sort of runway maintenance at either end of the closed runway. $\endgroup$
    – user28387
    Mar 2, 2018 at 20:34

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