Narrative:

I was standing at the controller in charge desk talking about the upcoming rotation due to the numerous amount of trainees that were due in on the next shift and how we were going to provide adequate training due to the snow and IFR conditions which both our local trainees needed. There were only 2 aircraft on the frequency so this was not difficult at all. Winds were calm and the visibility was about 2 miles due to light snow. It had been snowing all day yesterday and today. The first thing I noticed was that the runways and taxiways had not been touched during the entire snow event. I verified this with the other controllers who had worked yesterday. No pavement and pavement markings were visible on any surface. Aircraft X called for taxi and was given runway 35R for departure and eventually cleared for takeoff with a right turn to 150. Aircraft Y was given runway 17L for departure due to the calm winds and informed about the short delay due to the opposite direction departure. As aircraft X was about 2000-3000 feet down the runway; aircraft Y makes the turn at taxiway A1 and crossed the snow covered hold lines and local control noticed this at the same time as I did and quickly stopped the aircraft. The runway sign was lit; yet the aircraft passed it and was sitting with its tail completely passed the hold line as aircraft X was passing him off the departure end of runway 35R. Recommendation; this has been an issue at apa ever since my arrival. The airport authority does not want to spend the money to plow; de-ice or treat the surfaces. They prefer to let mother nature do her job. If you look at an airport diagram; you will notice that taxiway A1 is oddly shaped as it approaches the runway. Some time ago; the hold lines were moved farther away from the runway but the ramp area appears to look as if it extends past the current hold lines. If pilots miss the hold bars; they naturally want to progress to the area where taxiway A1 narrows prior to the runway. A few things need to be addressed. 1) why can't the airport authority buy a sweeper to clear off the surfaces during a light snow event? 2) why can't the airport authority; which is manned 24 hours; plow at least the hold lines by themselves? 3) why is the airport authority given millions of dollars to spend on pet projects yet none of it is spent on treatment of the surfaces; ot and equipment. Money is allocated to the airport authority for taxiways we do not control. They call the taxi lane parallel to runway 10/28 taxiway C and the FAA has designated it a non-movement/non-controlled surface area to the pilots and controllers. How many more near collisions must occur before something is done. This is dangerous!

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: APA Controller described a Runway 17L incursion event during snow conditions; claiming the airport authority is reluctant to provide snow removal equipment and procedures because of budgetary constraints.

Narrative: I was standing at the CIC desk talking about the upcoming rotation due to the numerous amount of trainees that were due in on the next shift and how we were going to provide adequate training due to the snow and IFR conditions which both our Local trainees needed. There were only 2 aircraft on the frequency so this was not difficult at all. Winds were calm and the visibility was about 2 miles due to light snow. It had been snowing all day yesterday and today. The first thing I noticed was that the runways and taxiways had not been touched during the entire snow event. I verified this with the other controllers who had worked yesterday. No pavement and pavement markings were visible on any surface. Aircraft X called for taxi and was given runway 35R for departure and eventually cleared for takeoff with a right turn to 150. Aircraft Y was given runway 17L for departure due to the calm winds and informed about the short delay due to the opposite direction departure. As Aircraft X was about 2000-3000 feet down the runway; Aircraft Y makes the turn at Taxiway A1 and crossed the snow covered hold lines and Local control noticed this at the same time as I did and quickly stopped the aircraft. The runway sign was lit; yet the aircraft passed it and was sitting with its tail completely passed the hold line as Aircraft X was passing him off the departure end of runway 35R. Recommendation; this has been an issue at APA ever since my arrival. The airport authority does not want to spend the money to plow; de-ice or treat the surfaces. They prefer to let mother nature do her job. If you look at an airport diagram; you will notice that Taxiway A1 is oddly shaped as it approaches the runway. Some time ago; the hold lines were moved farther away from the runway but the ramp area appears to look as if it extends past the current hold lines. If pilots miss the hold bars; they naturally want to progress to the area where Taxiway A1 narrows prior to the runway. A few things need to be addressed. 1) Why can't the airport authority buy a sweeper to clear off the surfaces during a light snow event? 2) Why can't the airport authority; which is manned 24 hours; plow at least the hold lines by themselves? 3) Why is the airport authority given millions of dollars to spend on pet projects yet none of it is spent on treatment of the surfaces; OT and equipment. Money is allocated to the airport authority for taxiways we do not control. They call the taxi lane parallel to Runway 10/28 Taxiway C and the FAA has designated it a non-movement/non-controlled surface area to the pilots and controllers. How many more near collisions must occur before something is done. This is dangerous!

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.