Red Oak airport receives $240K grant for taxiway

The Red Oak Municipal Airport is receiving a grant for $241,508 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration for the construction of a new taxiway.

The five percent matched needed from Red Oak will be provided by the city’s general funds, stated City Administrator Brad Wright. There are three construction phases; Godbson and Smith are the contractors for Phases A and B. Carley Construction had the low bid for Phase C. The construction for Phases A and B is expected to start in July 2009.

“We have to be a facility with a lot of forward thinking by the Airport Commission and City Council. It’s a progressive Airport heading in new directions,” Wright said.

“It would have been nice if they had notified us first instead of the media,” Wright added. “The phone call was a wonderful surprise but a heads up would have been appreciated.”

Wright admits the city has been fortunate when it comes to applying and receiving grants.

“The key has been, the city has been able to take advantage of what’s been

made available to them,” Pete Crawford, Engineer said regarding the funds

received through the State for the Airport.

Airport Manager Gail Ernst explained the new parallel taxiway is like a

frontage road. Without it, the aircrafts have to back up the runway after

landing.

“The new taxiway will make it safer for everyone.” Ernst said.