The 2005 airport construction season kicked off on Monday. Although not as ambitious as the 2004 construction season, there will still be many improvements on the airport.

This year’s project will be the final phase of the major runway reconstruction project that was accomplished last year. A new taxiway (E) will be completed which will allow aircraft to more efficiently and safely exit the runway after landing without having to cross another runway to do so. This project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will completed the west portion of the taxiway and the second phase will complete the east portion. The first phase should be completed by early July and the second phase in early fall.

The airport’s perimeter roadway system will also be completed this year. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has funded the final portion of the interior roadway system that allows airport vehicles access to areas of the airport without having to cross active runways. The first portion of the airport perimeter road system was completed in 2000.

The total project cost for this year is approximately $1.7 million which is funded jointly by the FAA and the Municipal Airport Authority.

In addition to the Airport Authority projects, the Federal Aviation Administration has commenced construction of a new airport surveillance radar (ASR-11). The current radar, located on the east side of the airport, is being replaced by a new digital-based system. The new 70-foot high radar tower will be located directly south of the passenger terminal. This project is funded entirely by the FAA and should be operational in 2007.