Published: July 05, 2007 12:53 am         

Majors Field to get rebuilt runway

By Brad Kellar

Herald-Banner Staff

Take-offs and landings at Majors Field Municipal Airport in Greenville will soon be a little bit easier on the tires, as City of Greenville officials plan to rebuild the airport's main runway.

State transportation officials have chipped in approximately $5 million to the project.

The Texas Transportation Commission approved the funding during its June meeting last Friday.

City officials applied for the grant in 2005, and L-3 agreed to pay for the match of the grant.

City officials have said the existing asphalt pavement on the 8,000 foot runway is in need of either surface renewal or reconstruction. As the condition of the asphalt continues to deteriorate, there is a risk of loose particles entering aircraft engines and causing severe damage.

The cost of the improvements, which will require using the parallel taxiway as a temporary runway during the construction phase, was originally estimated at $6,520,000. However, an engineer's report opened last Thursday estimated the actual cost at around $5 million.

Project costs will be funded through the Texas Department of Transportation's Aviation Facilities Grant Program, which preserves and improves the state's general aviation system, along with the city of Greenville.

Posted by Brad Kellar