MOUNT VERNON — Last week it was announced that the Knox County Airport would receive a $1.3 million grant to complete upgrades at the facility. According to a press release issued by Congressman Zack Space on April 22, the grant is part of a Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program.
Knox County Airport Manager Marla Elliot said the funds will be used to complete a full-length, lighted parallel taxiway at the airport.
“The runway is completed,” said Elliot, adding that approximately 3,500 feet of the taxiway was already completed in 2007. “This [money] will finish the [remaining] 2,000 feet of taxiway.”
The bid opening for construction of the taxiway will be Friday. The FAA will then issue the grant money, with construction estimated to begin in May. Elliot said the remainder of the taxiway is expected to be a 120-day project from start to finish.
Elliot said most airports in the nation have an airport capital improvement program, and these programs are usually completed within five years. According to Elliot, the Knox County Airport began its ACIP in 2005.
“Unfortunately, because of the way funding is ... some of our funding got diverted to Cleveland,” said Elliot, thus delaying the taxiway construction for some time.
In addition to construction of the taxiway, Elliot said some drainage work will need to be completed as well. The lighting for the taxiway, she said, will also be a significant expense.
According to Elliot, the Knox County Airport handles more than 20,000 takeoffs and landings per year.
