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Airport commission OKs county share for Runway 14/32 rehab after low bids; FAA approval pending
Summary
Cheyenne County airport officials reported the low bid for runway pavement rehabilitation was far below the engineers' estimate and the county commission approved the county's 5% share of roughly $19,945; the project requires FAA approval and may close the airport temporarily, potentially affecting medical flights.
The county's airport commission reported that bids opened for a pavement rehabilitation project on Runway 14/32 came in far below engineers' estimates, and the commission moved to accept the county's 5% share of the federal grant-funded project.
At the meeting the airport commission chairman said the project covers the south 2,200 feet of the hard-surface Runway 14/32 and related taxi lanes. Engineers had estimated construction bids at about $385,000; the lowest construction bid opened at $233,000, and engineering costs are listed at about $166,000, bringing the total project cost close to $400,000. Under a federal funding split discussed in the meeting, the county's share is five percent — about $19,945. “The lowest bid came in at $233,000,” the chairman said, adding the engineers’ fees raise the overall project to roughly $400,000.
Nut graf: The County Airport Advisory Commission (CCAC) approved motions to accept the winning bid, authorize engineers to complete required paperwork and execute the grant; commission members said they forwarded those motions to the FAA and expect federal approval next. One county official said the FAA must still sign off; the commission's vote moves the county portion into position so the federal grant can be executed.
The airport chairman said the CCAC passed three motions unanimously and that the package has been sent to the FAA for final approval. Bidders and engineers indicated construction could occur in 2025 or early 2026; one participant said the contractor present at the bid opening indicated plans to start in 2025. Officials warned the airport will be closed during construction, and that closure will affect medical flights. The chairman said the airport will likely be closed “for about 3 weeks,” which would prevent Flight for Life from landing at the airport; at another point in the discussion a county official said the closure “will be closed for about 3 days,” reflecting uncertainty in timing. County staff and the airport commission said they will coordinate with local hospitals and emergency medical services and noted Flight for Life may divert to Goodland if the airport is closed.
The chairman also described a separate potential project for concrete replacement on the runway’s north end that may be bid through a State of Kansas program with a different cost-share (described in the meeting as roughly a 90/10 split) to allow use of local concrete suppliers. The chairman said the county has applied for about $200,000 from the state program for that work; if approved, that project would be bid and scheduled separately.
Ending: The commission recorded a motion to accept the county’s 5 percent share for the FAA-funded pavement rehabilitation and to authorize staff and engineers to complete grant paperwork; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission and staff said they will notify hospital contacts and coordinate potential flight diversions before construction begins.
