Reconstruction of the north-south runway known as No. 1836 is now a top priority for officials at Warsaw Municipal Airport’s Board of Aviation Commissioners.
The lowering of utility lines on the east end of the east-west runway of the airport was moved off the top of the list after airport officials learned of a delay in the project.
Airport Manager Nick King told the board Tuesday that they had been notified by Federal Aviation Administration that funding for the power line project would not be available in 2018.
As a result, the airport will place more emphasis on the runway project while also working on the power line plan.
The FAA is already familiar with the runway project.
The runway, King said, has become expensive to maintain.
“Already this year, we’re seeing cracks reopen that we just had resealed less than two months ago,” King said.
A revised capital improvements report noting the change in priorities was approved by the board and will be forwarded to state and federal officials.
King said they are hopeful that the runway work can occur in 2018. He estimated the cost to be about $2.1 million. Much of the project will be covered by the federal government. With assistance through the state, the local cost will be below $200,000, King said.
The power line project was set to move into the construction phase this year.
“Hopefully, we will be able to start the construction for the power line relocation in 2019,” King said.
In the meantime, King said the airport is still working with AEP on design issues for the power lines.
