Runway Expansion Would Move Garfield Avenue
TRAVERSE CITY -- A proposed multi-million dollar runway expansion project could improve safety at Cherry Capitol Airport.
In April 2007, a jet overshot the runway. Airport Director, Stephen Cassens says the incident triggered the idea to expand the runway.
“One of the things that came out of that was that the aircraft had landed long. If there was additional pavement, the jet may have still been on the pavement.” Cassens explains
The Northwestern Regional Airport Commission recently turned in an application the Federal Aviation Administration to add 400 feet to each end of the runway. Funding for the $6.7 million dollar project would come from the Airport Improvement Program. While safety is one reason for lengthening the run way, filling aircrafts is another.
Cassens says “Longer runways will allow current passenger aircrafts to fill their seats. Right now the runway is sufficient for the type of aircraft we have, but during hot summer days planes must leave 2-6 seats unfilled due to the runway length. This runway would allow airlines to operate with more passengers and fuel.”
In order to expand, Garfield Avenue would need to shift 150 feet West. The airport would pay the entire cost to realign the road.
Cassens says “We’d like to do some beautification. Possible a median landscape coming into Traverse City. We’d also like to put a bike path along that area.”
The plan is to stage the construction so that while the new section is being built, traffic will continue on Garfield Ave. The road changes would require the airport to obtain some property of Traverse Motors auto dealership and one home. 7&4 News contacted the home owner, Dennis Colpitts. When we called, Mr. Colpitts was not aware of the possible plans.
“I am shocked, but I don’t think I would stand in the way of progress.” Says Colpitts
Auto dealerships surrounding the area also have been in contract with airport officials and are optimistic about the project.
Traverse Motors owner, Otto Belovich says "The traffic right now goes 50 mph. I am assuming with curves, it will drop down to only 35 mph. It’s good for business.”
Bill Marsh Auto Group owner, Jamie Marsh says "While construction may not be the best thing, it also slows traffic down, when you slow traffic down if front of a car dealership its not a bad thing.”
The next step is to obtain approval from the FAA. Cassens says he expects to hear from them by early 2010.
