The Morgantown Municipal Airport received $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the design phase of the $50 million runway expansion.
The funding was announced by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
“The grant provides payment for design and will pay for the bidding services,” said Jon Vrabel, airport director.
The funds will also go toward property acquisition, the city said.
In April, the airport received nearly $8 million from the Federal Aviation Administration for the first phase of the five-year runway expansion project that will add 1,000 feet to the 5,199-foot runway.
Work on the first phase is expected to begin this fall and take about a year to complete, Vrabel said. This includes the movement of 4.4 million cubic yards of earth that will be relocated to the future site of the nearby I-68 Commerce Park to the north end of the runway. The dirt will then be formed into 20 stories of foundation for the extension.
“This funding will help the Morgantown Municipal Airport expand its runway — already the smallest commercial runway in the state — in order to provide a viable option for West Virginians and visitors planning to travel to and from the area,” Manchin said in a statement.
The expanded runway at Hart Field will bring the runway to 6,200 square feet and allow it to better accommodate larger corporate jets and better cater to West Virginia University and its athletic programs. Southern Airways operates six flights daily out of the airport.
After the design and property acquisition is complete, the city will issue a bid announcement for the construction phase.
“With growing opportunity in north-central West Virginia, this project will add to the strong economic foundation that exists in our state,” Capito said in a statement.
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