Sun, Aug 08, 2010
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."
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