Construction Of Longer, Re-Aligned Runway Set To Begin Immediately

Airport officials from Lexington's Blue Grass Airport (LEX) announced Friday's closing of Runway 8/26, and the immediate start of construction to build a new, longer, realigned runway.

The new runway's design eliminates an intersection with Runway 4/22, the airport's main 7,000-foot runway. The re-alignment of 8/26 will also create more room for expanding airport facilities, such as an airplane parking ramp and a redesigned access road to the terminal.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the $27 million project is slated for completion in time for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, a popular event that's likely to draw a sizeable number of private planes to the area.

Airport board chairman Robert Owens predicted that private planes "will continue to account for over one-half of the total operations at Blue Grass Airport" through the year 2015.

Removal of the old runway, work on storm-water infrastructure and other earth-moving tasks will commence right away, Owens said, with paving of the new 4,000-foot runway targeted to begin in the spring of 2010.

As ANN reported, LEX's 3,500-foot Runway 8/26 was mistakenly used for takeoff by Comair flight 5191 on the morning of August 27, 2006, killing all aboard except the First Officer as the airliner careened off the end of the runway.

FMI: www.bluegrassairport.com