Aeronautics commission approves change orders and statewide airport grants, including runway and hangar work at Max Westheimer

The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission on Aug. 21 approved a series of construction change orders and grant awards for airports across the state, including work at Max Westheimer Airport in Norman and runway reconstruction at Pauls Valley Municipal Airport.

Commissioners voted to accept staff recommendations to approve three change orders requiring commission action and to note three additional amendments that staff had executed under director authority. Michelle (staff member), who presented the items, told the commission the Atoka environmental-assessment amendment required an added airport layout plan and increased project cost by $214,110 (funded largely with federal grant dollars); Prague Municipal Airport needed $17,413 to remove and replace saturated soils under new hangars; and multiple amendments tied to Max Westheimer’s new air traffic-control tower covered equipment, fencing relocation and asbestos pipe replacement. Staff sought formal approval for three other change orders, including an $82,518 adjustment at Clinton-Sherman Airport and two supplemental contract amounts at Max Westheimer totaling roughly $181,680 for hangar and…