The Tri-Cities Airport will get $8.7 million in federal money for improvement projects.
The money comes from the Federal Aviation Administration, the airport's traditional funding source, said Airport Director Jim Morasch. The money will be used to improve the runway and complete the terminal apron project, he said.
He said bids for the projects will be solicited in the next few months, and work will start in June. The projects will be completed in about six months, as required by the federal government.
The money is part of an almost $30 million stimulus package for construction projects at airports in Eastern Washington.
The projects will add years to the life of the Pasco facility and help take care of the current traffic at the airport, Morasch said.
About $4.5 million will be used for reconstructing the primary runway at the Tri-Cities Airport, which was last reconstructed in the early 1990s, and $4.2 million will to go to replace the asphalt apron with a concrete surface on the north side near the control tower, Morasch said.
In 2007, a similar project on the south side to expand the apron -- the area where planes park -- and taxiway gave airlines more room to operate at the airport, he said.
Airport officials are also working to update the airport's master plan.
Similar stories:
FAA bill could bring jet fuel research center to Tri-Cities
FAA bill could bring jet fuel research center to Tri-Cities
Sen. Maria Cantwell hopes a bill reauthorizing funding for the Federal Aviation Administration will bring a new jet fuel research center to the Tri-Cities.
"We don't know where it will be located," Cantwell, D-Wash., told the Herald after the Senate approved the $63.4 billion FAA bill 75-20 on Monday. "It's not for sure it is even going to our state."
Cantwell said she believes the center would be a good fit with the biofuels research being done by Washington State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory -- and would be a boost for jobs in Central Washington.
UPDATE: Some Seattle flights canceled due to snow
UPDATE: Some Seattle flights canceled due to snow
Some flights at the Tri-Cities Airport to and from Seattle were affected by the snow.
Alaska Airlines canceled the flights expected to arrive in Pasco at 2:33 p.m. and to depart for Seattle at 3 p.m. today.
Another flight has been moved earlier, and is expected to arrive at the Tri-Cities Airport at 7:25 p.m.
Port needs overhaul
Port needs overhaul
Since 2005, the Port of Kennewick appears to have become incapable of completing challenging projects such as the Spaulding Business Center and the stalled wine business center on the Tri-City Raceway property purchased by the port for $1.75 million. Instead of lobbying the Legislature to annex this property to West Richland to obtain the necessary utilities, the port wanted to waste $65,000 to change its name!
In other absurdity, port officials elected to keep the "nonairport" Vista Field Airport open in spite of the $60,000 consultant conclusion and without informing the local taxpayers of the possible financial consequences of operating at a loss.
Vista Airport is deemed an undersized and limited-use airport by the Federal Aviation Administration, and does not receive millions of dollars in grant money like the Richland ($13 million over the past 13 years ) and Pasco Airports do.
Port honors late airport director
Port honors late airport director
A memorial to longtime Tri-Cities Airport Director Jim Morasch will hang in the airport's terminal for years to come.
The Port of Pasco will unveil a bronze plaque honoring Morasch at 1:30 p.m. today at the terminal building, 3601 N. 20th Ave., Pasco.
Morasch was injured in a car crash Jan. 25 and died of his injuries Feb. 4.
Tri-Cities Airport anticipates expansion
Tri-Cities Airport anticipates expansion
A line of travelers heading for early morning flights snakes from security to the ticket counters.
It has become a common sight with growth at Pasco's Tri-Cities Airport.
The number of passengers boarding flights was up 6 percent last year, making it another record-setting year.
Print
Email Story
