Town Still Looking For Feds To Pay For Damaged Strip

The town of Las Cruces, NM, is still trying to figure out who will pay for about $2.1 million in damage to a runway at the local airport.

The strip was damaged last August, when -- in spite of warnings that basically said, "don't go there," a C-32 two C-17s and a C-130 landed at Las Cruces for a presidential visit. The aircraft severely damaged Runway 4/22 -- leaving ruts as deep as two-inches 2500-feet down the pavement.

The trip, conducted in the midst of last year's presidential campaign, was coordinated by President Bush's re-election team. The heat of the sun was also thought to be a factor, according to officials. The aircraft departed around midday, when the asphalt of the strip was somewhat softened by the intense afternoon heat.

Now, the city attorney's office says the USAF has asked for more documentation on the claim. Deputy City Attorney Pete Connelly says the Air Force wants to know everything there is to know about runway expenditures going back to 1998, a full four years before the damage was done.

In the meantime, the damaged runway at Las Cruces remains closed.

FMI: www.las-cruces.org/airport