From press release:
Asheville, NC – The Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority has been awarded a $6.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation for use towards its upcoming airfield redevelopment project.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will distribute the funding, which will be used for the first phase of a four-year project that will result in the construction of a new runway and a west-side taxiway.
“I am very happy that Asheville Regional received this grant. This will make it possible for the airport to upgrade its runway and continue to serve the citizens of Western North Carolina,” Congressman Meadows (R-NC) said. “Having a modernized transportation hub that supports our business community is critical for economic growth in the area,” Meadows added.
The current runway is more than 50 years old. Over the years, the pavement has had to be resurfaced numerous times. The FAA has prioritized the construction of a new runway – to bring the airfield at AVL up to the most current construction standards.
“We are very pleased to be receiving these funds for the upcoming project,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., executive director of Asheville Regional Airport. “This project will be the biggest in the airport’s history since the airport was built, and is a big part of the future of our region’s airport.” The total cost of the project during its four-year duration will be $64 million, with 100 percent of the costs to be covered by FAA, NCDOT and airport funds intended for airport infrastructure improvement.
An official groundbreaking is slated for August 8th, at which time more detailed information about the project will be available.
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