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Oberstar announces additional airport funding BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT Associate Editor Funding for the third and final phase of the runway construction at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport has been approved, according to Rep. Jim Oberstar's office.
Airport Manager Steve Sievek said he's still waiting for official paperwork, but based on the release of $912,863 in entitlement dollars, he issued a notice to proceed to the runway builders.
"It's pretty much a done deal," Sievek said of the third phase, which will pave the middle of the runway. Phase one, he said, included rough grading work and the movement of 2 million yards of dirt. Phase two involved the paving and light installation at the extreme ends of the new runway.
He said the total grant amount he's anticipating is $6,852,864.
Oberstar's news release said the airport has been awarded $5,940,001 for the runway construction. The funding also will be used to install instrument approach aid, perimeter fencing and a visual guidance system, Oberstar's statement said.
Sievek said airport officials had anticipated the grant approval in mid-July, so the announcement came about six weeks later than expected.
"We are going to be hard-pressed to complete the project this fall," he said. "We're going to be weather-dependent. We're going to hope for the best."
The new runway, Sievek said, will give the Brainerd airport a second instrument approach and all-weather capability. It will run into the prevailing wind, become the primary runway and eliminate crosswind issues, Sievek said. As a result, he said, there should be fewer cancellations.
"We're ready to sign," Sievek said of the final paperwork.
MIKE O'ROURKE can be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
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