Business

AVL airport wins $10 million grant for runway

By Bill Moss, Published: April 14, 2015

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $10 million grant to the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority for its ongoing airfield redevelopment project, U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows announced.

The Federal Aviation Administration will distribute the funding, which will be used for the second phase of a four-year project that will result in the construction of a new runway and a west-side taxiway.

“I’m grateful that DOT once again recognized the important role the Asheville Regional Airport plays in the Western North Carolina region. Having a modernized runway will enable the airport to better serve travelers and support economic development in the region for years to come,” Meadows said.

The current runway is more than 50 years old. Over the years, the pavement has had to be resurfaced numerous times. The FAA has prioritized the construction of a new runway – to bring the airfield in Asheville up to the most current construction standards.

The total cost of the project during its four-year duration will be $64 million, with 100 percent of the costs to be covered by FAA, NCDOT and airport funds intended for airport infrastructure improvement.