LaGuardia Airport closes runway after finding pavement depression

LaGuardia Airport closed one of its two main runways Wednesday after inspectors found a pavement depression near the strip.

Airport officials said the depression, about two inches deep, was found next to Runway 4/22.

"During an airfield inspection at LaGuardia Airport, an approximately two inch depression adjacent to Runway 4/22 was identified," the airport said.

The airport said the closure was made out of an abundance of caution and that the issue does not pose an immediate safety concern.

Arrivals at LaGuardia were delayed by an average of 48 minutes Wednesday afternoon, according to FlightAware data.

Runway 4/22 is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. and is expected to stay shut until Thursday morning while crews test the pavement, find the cause and complete any needed repairs.

"Our goal is to complete the assessment and any necessary repair work overnight and return the runway to service as soon as it is safe to do so," the airport said.

During the closure, flights will use LaGuardia's other main runway, 13/31.

The airport advised passengers to check with their airlines for flight updates.

This is the second time in less than a month that the same section of pavement has required emergency work. The runway was previously closed after a sinkhole formed around the Memorial Day travel period.