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Airport project taxiing toward takeoff

By Jim McNally | Statesville R&L

Published: July 3, 2009

The last of the preliminary work on a major renovation project at the Statesville Regional Airport is nearing a finish.

And, barring an unforeseen setback, the $8.2 million overlay project will begin in mid-August.

The matter was briefly discussed Thursday at the regular meeting of the Airport Commission.

City Planner Phil Collins said two pre-construction meetings are set for later this month and that actual construction on the project will begin Aug. 17.

The runway will be closed Aug. 17-31, Collins said, adding that the entire project is contracted to be finished within 60 days of its start.

The project involves adding an additional layer of asphalt for the purpose of strengthening the runway, which will allow larger aircraft to take off and land at the airport.

The thickness of the added layer will vary, according to Statesville Assistant City Manager David Pressley.

The runway has a gradual "dip" in it and the project will include adding extra asphalt in that area to remove the depression.

Last month, the Statesville City Council awarded the project to Greensboro-based Thompson-Arthur Paving and Construction Co., which was the low bidder and beat out two other companies, including Maymead Materials Inc. of Statesville.

Bill Freeman, of Michael Waltrip Racing, was at Thursday's commission meeting regarding another matter. He was happy to hear the news about the upgrades at the airport, where Waltrip's aircraft are housed.

"That's wonderful," he said. "We really do need it."

Freeman praised the airport.

"We think Statesville has a huge asset in this airport," he said. "Rarely do you see a city this size that has an airport that is so well maintained and managed."

Billy Shomaker, with Lowe's Aviation, concurred with that assessment.

"Statesville Airport has come a long way," he said. "It's a state-of-the-art facility and we're proud to be a tenant there and proud to be a contributor to its success."