Mineral County Airport wins $216,000 in funding
The Mineral County Airport near Superior received $216,000 in grant funding for several projects including the rehabilitation of 3,500 feet of Runway 12/30 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
On June 12, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines announced $738,430.00 in critical funding for five Montana airports in Terry, Baker, Superior, Ekalaka and Circle.
“These dollars play a critical role in keeping our airports safe and functioning, to continue to connect our state,” Daines stated.
Daines secured provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) dollars which build and maintain Montana’s critical aviation infrastructure such as runways. He also has also engaged the FAA to expedite grants to northern states with short construction seasons. The funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Mineral County’s airport near Superior received the largest appropriation of funds totaling $216,000.00. Funds will be used for sealing and marking for rehabilitation of 5,200 square yards of the existing airport apron to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement. It will also fund sealing and marking for the rehabilitation of 3,500 feet of Runway 12/30 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris. As well as for 2,100 feet of the existing taxiway needed to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement.
Other projects that received funding include the Prairie County Airport Authority which received $88,740.00. This project will fund an update to the airport master plan narrative report and airport layout plan to address key issues, objectives and goals pertinent to the airport’s future development. Terry Airport is a general aviation airport, designated as basic, as defined in the FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) report.
City of Baker and County of Fallon received $115,693.00. This project will fund the design for the construction of the 850 foot Taxiway T-6 to provide access to aircraft hangars. It will also fund sealing and marking for the rehabilitation of 5,900 feet of Runway 13/31 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris and for the rehabilitation of 22,200 square yards of the existing apron to maintain structural integrity of the pavement. Funds will also be used to seal, mark rehabilitate 17,750 feet of the existing Taxiways T-1, T-2, T-3, T-4 and T-5 which is needed to maintain structural integrity of the pavement as well as 8,600 square yard expansion of the existing apron to accommodate increased use of the general aviation facilities.
Ekalaka received $179,432.00 for sealing and marking to rehabilitate 3,801 feet of Runway 13/31 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris as well as to rehabilitate 1,440 feet of the existing Taxiway T-1, T-2 and T-11 needed to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement. Along with 11,500 square yards of the existing apron to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement. Funding will also be used for the first of two phases to construct a 8,120 square foot five bay T-hangar building to assist the airport to be as self-sustaining as possible by generating revenue. The sponsor has adequately financed the airside needs of the airport.
Town of Circle and County of McCone received $138,565.00. This project will fund the design phase to rehabilitate 6,780 square yards of the existing apron to maintain structural integrity of the pavement. As well as fund the design phase to rehabilitate 4,105 feet of Runway 12/30 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris and 655 feet of the existing Taxiways T-1 and T-2 needed to maintain structural integrity of the pavement. This project also includes the installation of an automatic weather observing system to enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations at the airport by providing accurate, current, and site-specific weather information. As well as for the installation of a 14 foot wide gate and 196 feet of perimeter fencing to deter unauthorized persons and vehicles from entering onto the airfield.