Runway "Shortened"

[Will_A]

Well, I feel kind of stoopid asking this because I am a student pilot, but here goes. I’m listing to JFK tower on live ATC, and I hear the controller clear a plane to land on runway 31L shortened. What does the shortened mean, it was an A330 so it wasn’t because it was tiny…
Thanks!

[DeerCrusher]

It means that the remaining runway is most likely under construction or other work going on on the runway. The full length of the runway is not utilized.

[Will_A]

Odd, because the rest seem to be lining up almost at the end

[DeerCrusher]

Nope. Thats normal. You’re looking at the wrong end. 31L shortened at the end of the runway. Near the “13R” markings. It’ll stay shortened until June 1, 2017.

[Tyler_Shelton]

Here is a little guidance from the FAAO 7110.65, the Air Traffic Control regulation I use:

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