Eastern Iowa Airport receives $2.6 million for runway, taxiway rehab

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded $2.6 million in discretionary Airport Improvement Program  funds to The Eastern Iowa Airport for runway and taxiway rehabilitation projects.

A $1.5 million FAA grant will reimburse the airport for a portion of the $46 million cost of rebuilding the primary runway at the airport. Another $1,144,904 grant will cover a portion of the cost of reconstructing taxiway C during the upcoming construction season.

The Cedar Rapids Airport Commission on March 26 awarded a $6.3 million contract to Metro Pavers Inc. of Iowa City to reconstruct the southern half of the airport's secondary runway and taxiway C. The runway and taxiway projects will be eligible for Airport Improvement Program entitlement funding.

The $4.2 million reconstruction of the rest of the secondary runway north of the intersection with the primary runway is scheduled for fiscal year 2014. It also will be partially covered by federal funding

The airport will cover its share of both projects with passenger facility charge revenue.

The Eastern Iowa Airport does not receive any city or county property tax revenue. It is a standalone entity supported by FAA grants, fees paid by travelers, airlines serving the airport, and concession revenue.

The secondary runway and taxiway projects topped the airport's capital improvement budget for fiscal year 2013.