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.