Runway project ready to stop circling the tower

It’s taken 14 years and $28.2 million but it looks like runway safety project at Southwest Michigan Regional Airport is going to be completed, reports the Herald-Palladium.

The Federal Aviation Administration must still provide a round of funding this fall and follow up with a final allocation early next year, the long-anticipated extended runway could go into use June 1.

When completed, the project will mean safer and easier landings, the newspaper reports. It will also give the airport the potential to handle larger airplanes.

Gaining runway length is critical. Removing houses and relocating Red Arrow Highway also benefited the airport by eliminating obstructions in the approach zone.

Excerpt:

“It’s been a long, long haul,” said Al Todd, who serves on the six-member Airport Authority, which oversees the facility.

Todd, an experienced pilot, said a safer main runway will likely mean more businesses and private aircraft will use the airport, helping the area’s economy grow.

“The most important mile of concrete in the county is that runway,” Todd said.

To find out what has previously held up the project, read the rest of the story.

Source: Herald-Palladium