By Josh Bergeron
josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — To complete a runway resurfacing project, the county’s airport may close its runway for 14 days.

The project will involve creating a crown in the center of the runway and adding grooves to prevent the pooling of precipitation. It’s different than an oft-debated runway extension project, which has not been funded.

In a letter to Rowan County commissioners, the N.C. Department of Transportation states a total closure of the Mid-Carolina Regional Airport’s runway would be the best way to finish the resurfacing. The letter also outlines other options, but county staff recommend a 14-day closure as part of Monday’s commissioners meeting agenda.

At 3 p.m. Monday, commissioners will meet to discuss the potential closure. Their meeting will be in the county administration building — 130 West Innes St. No dates are specified in Monday’s agenda documents about when the closure would occur.

In his memo to commissioners, Airport Director Kevin Davis says a complete closure will decrease the time required for the project while also lowering costs. In the N.C. DOT letter, Senior Airport Project Manager Rachel Bingham says a project such as Rowan County’s runway resurfacing “would be best accomplished with a total runway closure.”

“We have discussed the anticipated impacts to and the concerns for tenants at the airport should the runway be closed,” Bingham wrote. “I feel that Rowan County, as the owner of the airport, needs to also consider that a high quality reconstruction of the runway will enhance safety and minimize future impacts to all stakeholders.”

She said contractors will need to remove asphalt up to a certain depth, use wedges to re-create the crown and repave the entire runway surface.

The resurfacing will be paid for with a $2.74 million state grant and more than $300,000 in matching funds.

Bingham states that one alternative to a total closure would be one that only occurs at night.

“I have had many projects in my 23 years of construction experience that were night closures and full closures,” she wrote. Projects that allow the contractor to work unobstructed reduce the cost, reduce delays and reduce the number of pavement joints for a safe and higher quality finished product.”

In the letter, Bingham also lists potential negative effects of a night-only closure, including increased costs and a potential delay of the morning opening time.

In other business on Monday’s agenda:

• For a second time, commissioners will discuss whether to allow alcohol sales before noon on Sunday.

Commissioners first considered the change during their Sept. 18 meeting. Four commissioners voted in favor of the measure and Commissioner Mike Caskey voted against it. Because the vote was not unanimous, it required a second vote.

Allowed by a state law called the “brunch bill,” Salisbury, Kannapolis and Rockwell have already approved the changes, which allow food service establishments to start selling alcohol at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Commissioner Craig Pierce and Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO James Meacham have said approving earlier alcohol sales county-wide would create a level playing field for businesses.

• Commissioners will discuss the logistics of placing a temporary Vietnam veterans memorial near the Rowan County Veterans Services office in West End Plaza.

The memorial would be placed against the wall between Thelma’s and Veterans Services.

• Commissioners are scheduled to approve two construction contract change orders that will save the county roughly $180,000.

The larger of the savings will come from a contract for construction of a hangar at the Mid-Carolina Regional Airport. As a result of underused unit costs and unused contingency allowance, the total contract amount will decrease by $109,044.

As part of a second change order, contract costs for roof replacement at the Rowan County Health Department will decrease by $70,217.

• Commissioners will hold a public hearing for the requested rezoning of 1.47 acres of land located at 5130 U.S. 601 from commercial, business and industrial with a conditional use district to commercial business and industrial.

Contact associate editor Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.