CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Airport Commission doesn’t want to potentially change horses in the middle of the stream.

The panel on Monday approved an 18-month extension of its contract with Foth Infrastructure & Environment, enabling the Cedar Rapids firm to supervise completion of a $46.8 million reconstruction of the 62-year-old main runway at The Eastern Iowa Airport.

Foth has held the contract for airfield engineering and architectural services since Jan. 1, 2005. The amendment will extend the airport’s agreement with the company until June 30, 2011.

The reconstruction of the main runway at The Eastern Iowa Airport has to be completed in 110 days. A taxiway has been extended to 7,000 feet, allowing it to serve as a temporary runway when the main and secondary runways will be closed for reconstruction.

Under normal Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, the commission would have sought bids for the airfield engineering and architectural services contract next year. The FAA, mindful of the scope of the runway project, authorized the commission to extend Foth’s contract.

In a related action, the commission on Monday authorized Airport Director Dan Mann to seek bids for a portion of the runway remodeling construction. The engineer’s estimate for Phase VI of the overall project is $21 million.

The commission is expected to award a contract at its Dec. 14 meeting.