County committee backs MDOT and IIJA grants for airport taxiways, apron and equipment
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Summary
Oakland County's economic development committee recommended accepting MDOT and IIJA grants to reconstruct taxiways and apron at Oakland County International Airport and to reimburse prior expenditures and acquire snow removal equipment; staff described project scope and funding splits and said work will start in spring when weather permits.
Oakland County commissioners voted to recommend acceptance of two transportation grants for Oakland County International Airport that would fund major taxiway and apron reconstruction and equipment purchases.
Cheryl Bush, airport manager, told the committee the taxiway reconstruction project covers taxiway Delta, two connector taxiways (Foxtrot and Yankee) and the Astro Park apron. "It's one of the longest pieces of pavement that we have on the airport — a little over 8,000 feet," Bush said. She described the project cost as "about $6,051,000 and some change" and said funding will include state and county matches. The committee moved the item to the full board (motion moved by Commissioner Taylor, supported by Commissioner Smiley); the committee recorded a unanimous recommendation (6–0).
A second grant recommendation brought several previously advanced expenditures and new items together under IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) funding. Bush said that package includes reimbursement for previously advanced funds for land acquisition within the runway protection zone, reimbursement for FAA reimbursables tied to inspector oversight, reconstruction elements tied to the taxiway project, and purchase of two large snow removal machines. Staff described the grant as cleaning up outstanding reimbursements and funding equipment; they stated the state share was included and reported no local match required for that particular grant. The committee voted to recommend the grant acceptance to the board (moved by Commissioner Weidberg, supported by Commissioner Taylor; 6–0).
Commissioners asked about project timing and operational impacts. Bush said the taxiway work is planned in phases to avoid denying runway access; the construction timeline is expected to run about four months in work windows that accommodate hangar access and aircraft operations. "No one should ever be without access to the runway," she said. Commissioners also discussed funding splits; staff noted the projects rely primarily on federal and state grant programs that reduce the county's direct capital burden.
Both grant acceptances will be forwarded to the full board for final approval and scheduling; staff said construction is expected to begin in the spring when weather permits.
Votes at a glance: Committee recommended forwarding acceptance of the MDOT grant for taxiway and apron reconstruction (6–0) and the IIJA grant package for land, reimbursements and equipment (6–0).