Airport Reconstruction On Line to Finish Mid-September
Author: MT43 News Staff Reporter
Airport Reconstruction on Line to Finish Mid-September
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Runway paving at Broadwater County Airport was completed August 18, with work to begin rebuilding the taxiway, according to Airport Manager Dwight Thompson. The massive reconstruction of the airport’s footprint began in early May and is on track to be completed with grass planting, painting and curbing. The facility should be fully operational by early September.
The project began as necessary safety changes were implemented by the Federal Aeronautics Administration to include a change in the taxiway approach to the runway. The new taxiway will be a “U” shaped configuration instead of moving directly onto the runway. “This change will allow the planes to approach takeoff with better sight ability. The FAA rules dictate planes will have no direct access to the runway.” Thompson explained.
The FAA will underwrite 95 per cent of the cost of the project with the remainder paid by the state. The update will serve Medivac needs as well as firefighting aircraft and small plane landings. The runway was not extended so the airport will not be serving jet planes.
He said the facility sees lots of business. “We have no landing fee here and we sell the least expensive fuel in the area. We have private planes come from larger airports to fuel up due to the price and the convenience. Profits from fuel sales and lot leases help to maintain the airport,” he said.
Plane owners who wish to build hangars at the site will have that option since an 11-hangar lot and parking lot site has been included in the plan. The additional hangar area will accommodate the growing need to serve more planes. The facility has hangars for 11 private and commercial planes and 3 helicopters currently. Thompson explained that airplane owners who rent the hangars pay a lease fee as well as property taxes on their hangars. Several hangar homes have been built on airport grounds, but owners can no longer sell them as homes, according to FAA regulations.
Besides fuel and hangar services, the airport has two certified flight instructors who are available to teach flying and to do certification check-rides for active pilots.
Bullock Construction of Boulder was the low bidder on the job when Broadwater County Commissioners offered it in 2023. Owner Buster Bullock said his company hauled gravel from Helena Sand and Gravel in Helena. The job will take 27,000 cubic yards of gravel to bring the runway and taxiway up to grade. “In order to meet specifications, we had to find gravel that would meet certain compaction requirements,” he explained.
In addition to underlayment for new hangars and parking lot, new LED lights will be installed. Thompson pointed out eventually instrument approach will be available in case of bad weather. “We now have cameras on site to let pilots know the condition of the runway.” He said.
The five-member Broadwater County Airport Board meets at 6:00 pm, the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Flynn Building and is open to the public.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Airport manager Dwight Thompson points out changes and upgrades at the county airport last week.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 2 Caption: Bullock Construction of Boulder hauled 27,000 cubic yards of gravel to bring the airport runway and taxiway up to grade.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 3 Caption: Paving crew finished paving the airport runway August 18.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
