Airport could see expansion
Commish plans would allow for long-range jet traffic

County officials have the green light to plan for a $16.5-million expansion of the Rowan County Airport.

The expansion will be contingent on getting federal and state grants to pay virtually all of the costs.

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners agreed to go forward with planning.

The improvements would include a 1,000-foot extension of the current 5,500-foot runway, an upgraded runway safety area, taxiway lighting, perimeter security fencing and a new rotating beacon.

The runway extension would allow the airport to accommodate long-range jet traffic. The preliminary proposal would add 500 feet on the north end and 500 feet on the south end.

To carry out a part of the proposal, the county will have to buy additional land, and the state will have to relocate Airport Road.

Engineers from a Charlotte engineering and planning firm, Talbert & Bright, met with commissioners to review the current airport and the needed improvements.

They said the length of runway and other shortcomings restrict critical aircraft operations.

“Improving these elements will greatly enhance both physical and operational characteristics for existing and future long-range corporate jet activity,” the consultants wrote in a report.

If the plan is ready, the county stands to get the federal government to pay 90 percent of the costs, County Manager Tim Russell said.

And Russell added that state will pay the $150,000 to $250,000 costs for the master plan.

Russell pointed out that the airport can provide the county a continuing source of income. “Aircraft are very expensive. They boost the tax base,” he said.

Upgrading the safety area for Runway 2 and extending the southern end 500 feet will require relocating approximately 1,800 feet of Airport Road, near the intersection of National Guard Armory and Airport roads.

The proposal calls for realignment of Airport Road southeast to align with the Peach Orchard Road intersection.

Consultants and county officials point out that the N.C. Department of Transportation has identified the realignment as a potential highway project.

The project also would require the county to buy 166 acres, or 25 different parcels, near the airport.

Among other recommendations, the consultants say the existing rotating beacon needs to be replaced and moved. The current beacon has required extensive maintenance and has visibility problems because of trees and other obstructions.

Consultants and officials also discussed the need to complete perimeter fencing of the entire airport.

Russell said deer continue to be a problem and a threat to aircraft landing and taking off.

Russell said the airport operator has a permit to kill deer year round, but it doesn’t solve the problem.

Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com  or call 704-797-4254.