Claremore And Stillwater Airports Land Improvement Grants

NewsOn6.com

CLAREMORE, Oklahoma -- Several area Oklahoma airports have been approved for grants thanks to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission.

In a news release from the OAC, the commission approved a $12,795 CIP grant to Claremore Regional Airport in its efforts to remove a small earth obstruction that is located near the south end of the runway.

Aviation officials said once the obstruction is removed, the airport will be more accessible to inbound aircraft during poor weather conditions.

The total cost to remove the obstruction is $513,000, which will be paid for through a combination of the state grant, a $486,210 grant from the FAA and $13,995 in matching funds from the City of Claremore.

And the OAC says the Stillwater Regional Airport received a $363,158 CIP grant from the Aeronautics Commission that will be used for a $4 million project consisting of realigning the south and center portion of the airport's parallel taxiway system, installing taxiway lights, and reconfiguring the main apron and taxiway signage.

The FAA is providing $3,497,520 to fund the project, while the City of Stillwater is contributing $184,080 in matching funds.

State aviation officials said several large air carrier aircraft fly into Stillwater Regional Airport every year for Big 12 sporting events, which often time results in congestion on the main parking apron with smaller jet aircraft.

The additional improvements will alleviate the congestion and allow aircraft to taxi around the main apron while the larger air carrier aircraft and jet aircraft park on the apron during peak periods.