What Can You Get For $70 Million These Days?

The Kansas City Aviation Department announced the beginning of an almost $70 million improvement project at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC). This project will include rehabilitation of the two runways, improvements to the taxiway system, more airport parking, new hangars, and more.

Starting Monday March 28th, the 7,001 foot main runway at the airport will be closed to begin improvements. Runway 1-19 will be reconstructed to meet current federal design standards, extend its life, and to smooth out the surface. The Aviation Department will begin making pavement and electrical improvements to portions of the runway, taxiways, and ramps north of the runway 1-19 and 3-21 intersections.

This work will continue until August. Then, on September first, runway 3-21 will be closed at the runway intersection. For 40 days, only 3,100 feet of runway will be available, so jet traffic will be diverted to Kansas City International Airport.

Both runways should be open by winter 2005. Summer of 2006 will find the south end of the airport being worked on.

The Airport was dedicated in 1927 by Charles Lindbergh, and served as the headquarters of TWA until 1972. Since then, MKC has been a busy corporate airport serving downtown Kansas City.

Nearly 75 percent of the money will come from federal grants. Additional funding will be generated at MKC and from the Kansas City Aviation Department's Airport Fund.

FMI: www.flykci.com/downtown.cfm