Mile 80 Airport

Economic reasons and obsolescence. The airport was a private utility airstrip created for a specific purpose. Its closure is attributed to the completion of the large-scale infrastructure projects it was built to support, primarily the Hydro-Québec Manic-Outardes hydroelectric complex. With major construction finished and the adjacent road network (Quebec Route 389) significantly improved, the need for a dedicated, costly-to-maintain airstrip at this specific location diminished until it was no longer viable.

The site is abandoned and completely unusable for aviation. Satellite imagery of the coordinates reveals a distinct, straight clearing in the boreal forest where the runway once was. The gravel or dirt runway is now heavily overgrown with grass, shrubs, and small trees. There are no visible signs of any remaining airport infrastructure, such as buildings, hangars, or markings. The land is effectively a clearing that is slowly being reclaimed by nature.

Mile 80 Airport was a remote, private aerodrome whose significance was tied directly to the development of Quebec's massive hydroelectric resources in the mid-20th century. Its name, 'Mile 80', likely refers to its distance marker along a construction access road. The airstrip served as a critical logistical hub, facilitating the transport of personnel, specialized equipment, and emergency services to the construction sites of the Manicouagan-Outardes dams and power stations. During its active years, it would have handled rugged, STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) capable aircraft, such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-3 Otter, which were essential for accessing remote and undeveloped regions.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Mile 80 Airport. Its original purpose is long obsolete, its physical condition is severely deteriorated, and it is located in a very remote area. Any future industrial or resource activity in the region would be serviced by larger, established airports (like Baie-Comeau Airport - YBC) or would necessitate the construction of new, modern facilities. Reopening this specific strip is considered economically and logistically unfeasible.