Airport runway extension awarded

Local officials worked on and off for decades to construct a longer runway at the city’s airport.

Finally completed last year, it is now an award-winning project.

Jason Clearwaters of engineering firm Butler, Fairman & Seufert informed Portland Board of Aviation during its meeting Monday that its runway extension project has named the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives’ General Aviation Project of the Year.

Portland Municipal Airport’s project to extend its runway to 5,500 feet from the previous 4,000 feet was substantially completed in fall 2022. (Additional work to handle some grading and re-seeding grass around the runway continued into this year, with the board on Wednesday giving its approval that the project has been completed.) It was the culmination of years of work, as the potential extension had been initially discussed in the late 1990s.

The Federal Aviation Administration gave approval for the runway extension in January 2015, with the first phase of construction beginning in 2021. Its intent is to allow larger aircraft to be able to land and take off from the airport.

The airport will receive its award from the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives at its annual conference next week in Dubuque, Iowa.

Butler, Fairman and Seufert will give a presentation regarding the project at the conference.

The chapter covers a dozen states, including Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba.

Also regarding the runway extension project, Clearwaters said HIS Constructors — the Indianapolis firm handled the first phase of the work — expects to have an issue with a local landowner resolved within the next month. (An issue regarding the site where the company bought fill dirt to level the area of the runway extension has delayed closing out that phase of the project.)

Clearwaters also noted that his firm can move forward with the process of completing the design of the airport’s apron expansion as the related FAA grant is now in place. (Plans are to bid the project in early 2024.) 

A wildlife hazard assessment is ongoing, and the airport is still waiting to hear back regarding a land acquisition reimbursement request from federal infrastructure bill funds.

In other business, the board:

•Learned from Clearwaters that the airport’s automated weather observing system needs to have a survey marker installed about 100 feet away to identify true north. The marker is used by the system to ensure that wind directions are being reported properly. Clearwaters will handle the work prior to the next aviation board meeting.

•Heard from Tavzel that the airport sold 6,210 gallons of fuel in June for $29,384.31. That’s down from 8,246 in June 2022 but up from 4,189 in June 2021.

•Discussed the need to slightly modify a lease with Tavzel for the construction of a new Sonrise Aviation hangar. The change is needed to allow for more space for parking between the taxiway and the hangar. Clearwaters said he plans to have the lease amendment complete for the board to consider at its August meeting.

*Heard reminders from Tavzel that the airport’s annual fly-in and breakfast, to be hosted by the American Legion Riders, is scheduled for Aug. 26 beginning at 6 a.m. Plane rides will be available for attendees. The airport will also hold a Young Eagles event — the organization offers free plane rides to those 8 to 17 years old as well as educational classes about aviation — on Sept. 30.