Celebrates With a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Now... here's a cause for celebration... a brand new GA runway! This week, Blue Grass Airport officials were joined by Governor Steve Beshear, Mayor Jim Newberry, Kentucky Department of Aviation Commissioner R. Winn Turney and FAA Administrator Doug Martin for a ribbon cutting ceremony of the airport's new crosswind runway, Runway 9-27. This new 4,000 foot runway will be used by private and corporate general aviation aircraft and will enhance safety during crosswind conditions.

"Not only will this new runway enhance aircraft safety at Blue Grass Airport, it will also benefit our state's economic development efforts," said Gov. Steve Beshear. "Improvements that enhance the safety and efficiency of air travel for business purposes are an important part of supporting our state's economic development efforts."

This new runway replaces the airport's previous 3,500 foot runway, Runway 8-26. The airport's 2004 Master Plan Update identified a need to rehabilitate and reconstruct the pavement for Runway 8-26 and recommended instead to replace the previous runway and realign it to a 9-27 orientation. This relocation allows for more efficient land use and facility development. General aviation facilities were severely constrained and had insufficient space to provide additional corporate and light general aviation facilities. The relocation will provide ample space for much needed aircraft parking and hangar development.

"The successful completion of this new runway at Lexington provides a shining example of people working together for their collective success," said Doug Murphy, FAA Regional Administrator. "This runway provides a positive benefit for the citizens of Lexington, the state of Kentucky and the world's best and safest aviation system."

Funding for this $27 million runway relocation was provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, Kentucky Department of Aviation and Blue Grass Airport. It was one component of more than $66 million worth of airport improvement projects that has been undertaken in the last two years.

"General aviation activity accounts for approximately 65% of the total operations at Blue Grass Airport," said Bobby Owens, chairman of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board. "This new runway is critical to allowing us to maintain the capability of landing lighter corporate and private aircraft during crosswind conditions. We are grateful for the funding assistance we received on this project and are appreciative that the Governor, Mayor Newberry, Commissioner Turney and FAA Regional Administrator Doug Murphy could be with us today to celebrate this important moment in Kentucky aviation history."

FMI: www.bluegrassairport.com