Eastern Iowa Airport's Secondary Runway Reopens

By George C. Ford, Reporter

The Eastern Iowa Airport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa aerial stock photo, terminal

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By Belinda Yeung

Story Created: Sep 28, 2012 at 2:46 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 28, 2012 at 10:33 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The secondary runway at the Eastern Iowa Airport reopened Friday following completion of a reconstruction project.

Runway 13-31 was closed on July 19 to repave a southeast portion of the 6,199-foot runway to extend its life and quality. The project was completed on time with no complications.

The Cedar Rapids Airport Commission in March awarded Metro Pavers of Iowa City a $6.3 million contract for the work. The project included reconstruction of Taxiway C, which is adjacent to the runway.

The taxiway work, involving some of the oldest pavement at the airport, was completed before the runway was shut down to provide access to the main runway for airplanes stored in nearby hangars.

During the construction phase, the airport operated with only the primary runway.

"Thankfully we had no issues with the primary runway during the construction," according to Sara Freese, director of operations. "When you are operating with only one runway, there is always a risk that something will happen to the operational runway and you will disrupt air service."

The northern portion of the secondary runway is scheduled for a similar project in fiscal year 2014, along with construction of a new taxiway.

The runway and taxiway projects are eligible for federal Airport Improvement Program entitlement funding. The airport will cover its share with passenger facility charges paid by travelers.

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