During a recent meeting in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission presented their proposed $55 million airport Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2016-2018. 29 airport infrastructure projects will be spread out across 21 state communities as part of the proposed CIP with more than $42.8 million in federal funds paying for the majority of the projects, while $5.7 million in state grants and $5.9 million in local matching funds will take care of the remaining costs.
According to Dale Williams, the Commission’s deputy director for airports, revisions to the CIP will result in almost another $4 million in state investment. Added to the $5.5 million rolling over from 2015, the Commission plans to invest right at $15 million in airport infrastructure across the state during the next 3 years. This follows a record year for capital expenditures at the Commission of just under $10 million for over 50 airport projects across the state in fiscal year 2015.
Out of the 29 airport projects considered by the Commission, eight are funded with state and local matching funds only.
R.L. Jones Airport in south Tulsa would see its primary runway resurfaced as part of the proposed CIP. In addition, the guidance signage along the secondary runway and parallel taxiway would be updated and standardized. Aviation officials said the resurfacing project will extend the life of the pavement, while the signage update will help prevent runway incursions and, therefore, improve the overall safety on the airfield. The combined cost to complete these projects will be nearly $5 million.
Another significant project in the proposed CIP is the construction of a new 4,000-foot runway at Jones Memorial Airport in Bristow. Construction crews will build the $4.8 million runway about 250 feet east of the existing runway. According to federal and state officials, the existing runway has reached the end of its useful life and must be relocated in order to meet current FAA standards.
Officials have also planned several other runway or taxiways improvements across the state, including at airports such as Ardmore Municipal; Eaker Field in Durant; McCurtain County Regional in Idabel; South Grand Lake Regional in Ketchum; McAlester Municipal; Stillwater Regional; and Wiley Post in Oklahoma City.
The Commission will participate in airport terminal construction projects at Lawton-Ft. Sill Regional and Goldsby Municipal by providing state grants of $500,000 and $250,000, respectively. The City of Lawton will cover the remainder of the $3.5 million construction costs, while the Town of Goldsby will contribute another $250,000 toward the completion of their terminal.
Through its CIP, the Commission determines the airport projects at the 107 general aviation airports that will be funded with federal and state funds. Projects are prioritized based upon safety, preservation, standards and capacity. Federal grants typically require 10 percent in matching funds from the airport sponsor or owner; however, for projects identified in the CIP, the Commission makes half the federal match. State grants require five percent matching funds.
To see the entire list of projects included in the proposed CIP, please visit the Airport Development page on the Commission’s website at www.aeronautics.ok.gov
