MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Work on the long-discussed runway extension project at the Morgantown Municipal Airport could begin within a year.
In June, members of the Air Force Reserve training group will scope out the 5,199-foot runway to begin planning a 1,001-foot extension.
Construction could begin by April 2016, said Morgantown assistant city manager Glen Kelly.
He said the Air Force’s cooperation “is taking it from something that was truly out of reach to the realm of possible and consequently saving the city and taxpayers a lot of money.”
The partnership could be responsible for several million dollars in savings in construction costs.
“It will save us at least $8 million and maybe as much as $12 million in the overall cost of $31 million,” estimated Kelly.
The same Air Force teams have been responsible for runway and airfield landing zone development for U.S, troops in war-torn areas of Iraq.
“Airmen will be getting training as they’re doing this,” Kelly said. “Of course they’ll be led by Army engineers and the Air Force engineers who build runways all over the world. I actually expect a better product than if we were to contract, probably.”
A 6,200-foot runway opens up the city to outgoing international flights, a draw for business.
“It will facilitate us servicing business like some of the businesses we lost recently, like Mylan Pharmaceuticals aviation section. They couldn’t fly internationally from our airport and now they will be able to,” Kelly said.
Work on the runway extension could take up to two years and will change the landscape around the airport. When earth around the airport is moved, another 300 acres will be transitioned into land for a business park.
“It’s going to be a huge benefit to us, to the university, to the businesses in the local area and also Camp Dawson,” Kelly said.
Parts of the project are subject to business and occupation taxes. Kelly also projects opportunities for local companies to bid on follow-up projects such as runway paving.