Great Bend Municipal Airport is one of 32 improvement projects to receive Kansas Department of Transportation funding, according to an announcement by KDOT Tuesday.
The airport is scheduled to receive $148,950 in state funding for mill and overlay of 2,000 feet of Taxiway A.
“Part of that taxiway is not eligible with federal distance guidelines,” said airport Manager Martin Miller, who noted that the Great Bend Airport operates a longer runway than what the FAA recognizes.
“KDOT Aviation has been a big help with funding the maintenance of our runways and taxiways,” he said. Martin added that the work on the airport’s taxiway could possibly begin sometime in the beginning or middle of next year.
“It depends on when they (KDOT) release the funds,” said Martin. “They also have to send us a grant offer that we have to execute and that could be either in the spring or summer.”
According to KDOT, the 32 projects have been selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for the purpose of planning, constructing or rehabilitating public use general aviation airports. KAIP receives $5 million annually through the IKE transportation program and requires airport sponsors to share in the project costs by paying a minimum of five percent of the total project.
“Aviation currently represents $20.6 billion in total economic impact for the State of Kansas,” said Gov. Laura Kelly. “Working together, the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration and local communities are enhancing the safety of our transportation infrastructure and expanding this economic impact.”
KDOT said the selection board prioritized airport improvements that deliver the most significant impact across the entire state. Most of these projects contribute to flight safety and/or positive economic impact for their region.
“Aviation is a particularly important mode of transportation for Kansas industry and the delivery of healthcare services and disaster relief,” said Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “These airport improvements are a few of many important efforts to empower aviation economic growth across our entire state.”
“KDOT’s Division of Aviation reviewed 93 project applications this year with a combined total project value of over $27 million,” said Bob Brock, director of aviation. “The 32 projects we’ve selected will have positive impacts on the health, safety and economy of our state.”