Home » $20M awarded to fund pavement improvement projects at 34 airports

$20M awarded to fund pavement improvement projects at 34 airports

Two-year project

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 4, 2016) — The state will fund $20 million in pavement improvement projects at 34 airports over the next two years. The funds, for aged runways, taxiways and aprons, will pay for the restoration and maintenance of pavements in poor condition.

“Every year, hundreds of individuals and companies consider bringing their business to Kentucky. Many of them travel here on corporate jets and land at one of our non-commercial airports,” said Gov. Matt Bevin. “First impressions about Kentucky’s business communities are made starting from the moment an aircraft touches down. For this reason, investing in general aviation airport infrastructure is not merely cosmetic — it’s vital to strengthening the health of Kentucky’s economy.”

Pavement conditions will ultimately determine how funding is spent on airport projects, which range from crack repair to a complete overlay. If warranted, some runways, taxiways or aprons may receive a complete reconstruction.

A study was conducted in 2011 and updated in 2014 by Applied Pavement Technology to rate the condition of all runways, taxiways and aprons. Inspectors visited each airport to physically examine and grade the overall pavement condition. The Kentucky Department of Aviation (KDA) used the results from the study to determine the order of priority for projects.

Ten projects are slated for Fiscal Year 2017. The first five projects will be approved for design and construction while the second set of projects will be in the design phase only. The second set will proceed to the construction phase as funding permits. Some construction projects may also shift to Fiscal Year 2018 depending on available funding.

Scheduled for this year:

  • Big Sandy Regional Airport (Prestonsburg) $2,400,000
  • Tompkinsville-Monroe County Airport  $1,100,000
  • West Liberty Airport $750,000
  • Russellville-Logan County Airport $1,600,000
  • Wendell H. Ford Airport (Hazard) $750,000
  • Morehead-Rowan County Airport $250,000
  • Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport $250,000
  • Sturgis Municipal Airport $1,325,000
  • Harlan Airport $750,000
  • Georgetown-Scott County Airport $1,500,000