CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Yeager Airport will receive a grant worth more than $13.4 million for repairs to the facility’s runway safety area, more than two years after it was destroyed.
The engineered materials arrestor system is designed to stop airplanes if an aircraft overruns or comes off the runway.
This area to Runway 5/23 at West Virginia’s largest airport was destroyed in a March 2015 hillslide. The slide also destroyed the Keystone Apostolic Church and damaged two homes in the area.
According to a Wednesday evening press release from the airport, U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., as well as Republican Reps. David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Evan Jenkins, were instrumental in securing the funding from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“As a pilot myself, I understand how crucial it is for us to maintain our airport infrastructure, especially in our capital city,” Manchin said in a joint statement with Capito. “Yeager Airport serves an important role in West Virginia, helping our businesses export their products, tourists travel to our great state and introducing who we are to the world.”
Capito added Yeager Airport plays an important role in the state’s economy.
“This funding is sure to benefit West Virginians in the near term and for years to come, and I’m pleased to help announce it today,” she said.
Jenkins said the funding provides protection to the airport, which is home to the West Virginia Air National Guard.
“I made the case personally to the FAA explaining the geography surrounding the airport and why we have to act now,” Jenkins said in a press release. “This funding will allow us to keep travel safe for the public, as well as the men and women of the West Virginia Air National Guard based out of the airport.”
The Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority Board of Members also announced Wednesday it will hold an emergency meeting Sept. 11 at the airport.