Cost cutting options could chop 1000 feet from Huntingburg Airport project
The Huntingburg Airport Runway Committee convened yesterday to discuss further options on the planned reconfiguration and expansion of the Huntingburg Airport. The committee consists of Airport Manager Travis McQueen, Airport Board member Raymie Eckerle, Board member Brett Yourgans and Board President Mike Cummings. Woolpert Engineering representative Chris Snyder discussed some cost cutting options with the recently formed committee.
The cost of the airport reconfiguration came under scrutiny after McQueen announced at the last Huntingburg Airport Board meeting the FAA Funding Match for airport capital projects has been reduced from 95 to 90 percent. That means that the board will have to come up with an additional 5 percent for the runway project. The Indiana Department of Transportation is also in the midst of figuring what their percentage of contribution will be in the future. At this point it is set at 2 ½ percent.
The options put forth included a proposal to cut the length of the new runway by 1000 feet. The plan that will be discussed at the next Huntingburg Airport Board meeting will include a recommendation to build the runway north of the existing runway at a length of 55o0 feet.
According to McQueen the project’s original cost for the runway project that was 6500 feet long was approximately $30 million but the suggested changes could bring the price down considerably to between $10million to $20 million.
The goal is to be able to lengthen the runway in the future as the funding becomes available. McQueen stated the configuration of the runway is based off of configuration 927, an older option, but this runway would be moved to the north and east. Woolpert Engineering has yet to produce new plans for the site but our examining the idea and will make recommendations at the March Huntingburg Airport Board Meeting.
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In reference the Huntingburg Airport reconfiguration. It is my understanding the committee meeeting is a public meeting. I also understand the Air Board notified the press and local media of the meeting. Why was there nothing in print to notify the public of this important meeting?Why was this kept quiet ? I understand 3 farmers were notified by Travis Mc Queen, but no one else. Why were there only two of the three members present when your write up stated all three were there. Why was the engineer not there and just on the telephone. The county and the air board have been working on this for years. What is the rush now. Is there some underlining adgenda involved? I think the people of this county and surronding farms would like to know were right back to the old plan that in time would cross hwy 231 to the west. This would be at the cost of homes, family farms and life long dreams and plans. There is no reason for this, what about a 5500 foot north-east, south-west runway. What happened to the need for a 6500 foot runway. This has been so inportant for years to take off with full payloads now its not. 5500 vrs 5000 feet is not much of a change and the cost of 500 feet. I have no problem of building a new runway,, but lets do this right and not at the cost for families homes, and farms. Thanks for your time and consideration. Regards, Fred Souders
This was a committee meeting in which we simply discussed our runway extension project in light of several recent developments: A) new guidance from FAA that $30 Million is not feasible for an airport of our size, B) US 231 relocation being cancelled and how its position impacts our decision, C) decrease in the FAA contribution from 95% down to 90% for grant funded projects. In addition, hopefully the following comments will address some of Mr. Souders' concerns:
1. The committee meeting was discussed at the previous board meeting to explore all and best options given the changes by the Feds.
2. The press published the meeting to notify the public.
3. The committee is not making any decisions at this time but to advise the board at a later date for a final decisions.
4. There is no rush and input is appreciated. No option has been eliminated from consideration, including the new plan for 6,500’.
5. Should you have any further questions, comments or concerns to contact the airport.
Michael Cummings
President, Dubois County Airport Authority
I appreciate the feed back on the air board meeting from Mr. Cummings. I did talk to both the people at the Herald and the DCFREEP that received the e-mail with the meeting information. John and Matt both told me they did not publish the information in the paper. This was an oversight on their part and they would publish future meetings. Thank You, Fred Souders