Summer Project Estimated To Generate Up To 225 New Local Jobs

While we're sure that many of you have as cautionary an outlook on the stimulus package as we do, its nice to know that a solid aviation infrastructure project got a piece of it... and for a change, its not going to an airport named after John Murtha.

As many as 225 excavators, pavers, haulers, electricians and other construction workers are getting some work at Detroit Metro Airport this summer, as a result of a $15 million grant awarded to the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

"We're eager to get started on rehabilitating this critical piece of transportation infrastructure for our region--and to put people to work," said WCAA CEO Lester Robinson.

The ARRA grant is designated to support the reconstruction of Detroit Metro Airport's Runway 9L/27R--one of two crosswind runways used primarily during strong westerly wind conditions. The $34.6 million rehabilitation project had already been scheduled to begin this summer; however, this ARRA funding enables WCAA to accelerate what would have been a two-year project to a single construction season in 2009--enhancing the short-term economic impact of the project to the region (a primary goal of ARRA).

Unlike previous runway rehabilitation projects, the accelerated 9L/27R project is expected to have minimal--if any--impact on airline operations or aircraft noise over surrounding communities. Because 9L/27R is used only during specific, infrequent wind conditions, air traffic will continue to operate as normal on the airport's four primary (parallel) runways throughout the reconstruction.

"The timing of this project is ideal for everyone, given the opportunity to accelerate the reconstruction during a summer when our airlines already anticipate operating fewer flights due to economic factors," explained Robinson.

Work on the runway reconstruction is expected to begin in early June. Runway 9R/27L is currently 8,700 feet long and 200 feet wide. The reconstructed runway will be reduced in width to 150 feet as allowed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance in order to reduce construction costs as well as yield reduced maintenance costs and snow removal response time. Associated runway markings, electrical, and edge lighting systems will be replaced as part of the reconstruction project. The newly-rebuilt runway will have a lifespan of at least 20-years.

FMI: http://www.metroairport.com