The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport started repaving its main runway on Monday, June 10. It will be closed until June 26th. But the County says that shouldn’t affect travelers much.
The runway is 6,500 feet long and airport officials say it needs a lot of work. That's why the project will take 16 days to complete. Kalamazoo County Commission Chairwoman Julie Rogers says the work is needed because the runway hasn’t been repaved for a long time.
“It hasn’t had resurfacing or repaving since 1998, so I think that’s actually quite impressive that it’s lasted 21 years. That's pretty great considering how our roads are in Michigan.”
The main runway is the one normally used by the jets operated by airlines serving Kalamazoo. But Amanda Woodin, the airport's assistant finance and administration director, says travelers aren’t likely to notice.
“Rental cars as well as long- and short-term parking will still be open and available during the closure. And the airline counters here at the airport will be staffed, if anyone needs to come in during the day to make reservations or if they have have any questions for the airlines.”
Woodin says some work will be done in other areas too. But that will be handled when airline flights aren’t landing or taking off.
Rogers says most of the money for the project came from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Ninety-percent of the cost is Federal FAA grant money, so that was great that we were able to secure federal dollars for the majority of the repaving project. The State of Michigan chipped in five-percent, and then our local dollars also matched five-percent.”
Rogers says June was chosen for the runway project because there are usually fewer airline passengers using the airport then compared to later in the summer.
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