The funds from TxDOT’s Aviation Facilities Grant Program will be used for land acquisition.
Karen Wiedemann, director of grant management with TxDOT, said the city of Temple would fund 10 percent of the acquisition project, which would be about $32,000.
Sharon Rostovich, aviation director for the city, said the proposed 700-foot extension of the primary runway would result in a 7,000-foot final product.
She said funding for the project was earmarked in the 2003 congressional omnibus spending bill.
“The extension will provide a greater safety margin for our customers and allow them to take on more fuel on takeoff,” she said, explaining that aircraft will have more runway space to work with and can therefore take off with greater fuel amounts or cargo on board.
The total construction project will include a parallel taxiway and lighting, Ms. Rostovich said. The total cost of the project could be in the range of $3.6 million to $4 million, which includes a 10 percent local match.
Ms. Wiedemann said TxDOT projected land acquisition could be completed by the end of November. With most of the engineering and related studies completed, a construction contract could be let soon after land acquisition.
In 2003 and 2006 the city approved funding from TxDOT for airport improvements totaling more than $2.2 million, including upgrading runway and taxiway lighting and expansion of the parking apron to accommodate larger jets, among other improvements.
