Project to start June 1

A tentative timeline is in place for the first phase of the Portland Municipal Airport runway extension project.

Jason Clearwaters of engineering firm Butler, Fairman & Seufert informed Portland Board of Aviation at its meeting Monday that work on the first phase of the runway extension is expected to begin about June 1.

The city has been working to extend the airport’s runway for decades. It received Federal Aviation Administration approval for the project in January 2015, with funding approval finally coming last year.

Clearwaters is working with Indianapolis firm HIS Constructors on the project. HIS plans to be on site to begin prep work May 26 with the project itself to start June 1.

Phase one of the extension project includes leveling the land to the west of the current runway and enclosing 555 feet of Alexander Ditch. Clearwaters said HIS plans to handle the work in two sections, starting with the westernmost portion. That is expected to take until mid-to-late August. HIS will then shift to the section adjacent to the airport for about the next two months, during which time the runway will need to be shortened to accommodate work.

The second phase of the runway extension — to 5,500 feet from the current 4,000 feet — involves paving and lighting and is scheduled for 2022.

Portland Mayor John Boggs said he would contact U.S. Sens. Todd Young and Mike Braun and U.S. Rep. Jim Banks to begin the scheduling process for a groundbreaking ceremony for the project.

Also Wednesday, Clearwaters informed the board that Indiana is in the process of updating its state aviation system plan. Surveys have been sent to airports about their facilities and services. Consulting firms assisting the state with the plan update will eventually schedule a virtual site visit for Portland Municipal Airport.

In other business, the board:

•Heard from airport manager Hal Tavzel that: the airport’s fuel farm passed its inspection earlier this month; most hangars are now rented with only two or three currently open; there has been an increase in flying activity with several new students signed up for classes; 85 students from an Amish school recently toured the airport; and 4,253 gallons of fuel were sold in March for a total of $15,857.84.

•Agreed to move forward with scheduling a Young Eagles event for late summer or early fall. Young Eagles is an organization that provides free plane rides to those ages 8 through 17. Board members agreed it would be best to get on the schedule and make adjustments is circumstances change because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

•Approved a reimbursement request for $9,000 for grant funds for reimbursement of costs incurred during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The funding is provided through the second federal coronavirus relief bill passed in December.

•Submitted a grant repayment request for $7,115.33 to the FAA.