FAA Survey Is The Last Hurdle

Carson City, Nevada is ready to open its newly-constructed eastern runway, and is only waiting for the completion of an FAA survey before putting the airport back in use.

The airport closed November 9th for the runway construction, which Carson City officials said was the city's biggest stimulus project at $9.6 million. The runway was realigned three degrees to the north, and since the FAA went to a new surveying system, every new runway needs to be surveyed.

The Nevada Appeal reports that the project included removing an 80-foot-high hill at one end of the runway. The airport will also build taxiways, install weather reporting gear and taxiway lights.

Work is continuing on the western section of the airport, which is expected to be completed by December. The airport remained open as much as possible during the construction, but had to be completely closed earlier this month. Now, delays in the FAA survey are making airport tenants antsy.

“It's very frustrating for us after we've gone through this phasing, but eventually, it falls out of our control. We're in contact with them every day, a few times every day, and all our users and tenants are very anxious,” Airport Manager Casey Pullman said.

The new runway will make it possible for larger business jets and more charter flights to use the airport. "(I)t's paved and striped and ready to go, but the FAA is completing its surveying,” Pullman said .

FMI: www.carsoncity-airport.com