MORGANTOWN — The Morgantown Municipal Airport has received $7,777,778 from the Federal Aviation Administration for the first phase of its $50 million runway extension project.
According to a press release from Senators Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., the funding is being made available through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which received additional money from the CARES Act.
The project, which will add 1,001 feet to the existing 5,199-foot runway, will require the movement of some 4.4 million cubic yards of earth and is expected to take five years to complete.
The dirt will be relocated from the future site of the nearby I-68 Commerce Park to the north end of the runway, where it will be formed into 20 stories of foundation for the extension.
According to information put out by the city, the runway extension and commerce park represent “the most significant economic development projects” in Morgantown’s history.
This initial round of funding will be used for site prep, including all clearing and grubbing as well as design and construction management for the first construction package.
The city anticipates releasing a construction bid announcement this summer. Work was initially expected to begin in the fall. Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli said the city doesn’t currently anticipate delays due to COVID-19.
While the majority of the $50 million price tag will be federal appropriations, there is a local match requirement.
Best case scenario is the city and/or state will have to come up with 10%, or $5 million.
The Morgantown Municipal Airport is the busiest airport in the state based on number of flights. It also has the shortest runway of all the state’s commercial carrier airports.
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