Runway resurfacing scheduled for Ohio State Airport

COLUMBUS -- Ohio State will begin a project May 3 to resurface a runway and taxiway at the university’s airport to improve safety conditions as required by the Federal Aviation Administration. Airport Director Doug Hammon said the resurfacing project will not in any way extend the existing runway or taxiway, and is unrelated to any discussions regarding a separate project to extend a different runway for safety purposes. Studies for that project are under way, and no decisions are expected to be made until later this year.

Hammon said the FAA will provide 90 percent of the funding for the renovation through a grant awarded in August 2003. The remaining 10 percent will be paid for from Airport funds, which Ohio State trustees approved in September 2003, and a $75,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Cost of the rehabilitation project is expected to be $1.2 million.

The construction project is expected to take 45 days to complete and because it will take place entirely within the airport, local traffic will not be affected. The runway has not been repaved since 1979, while the taxiway has not been improved since 1986.