Tuscaloosa council approves FAA grants for runway, cargo apron and multiple local infrastructure contracts

The Tuscaloosa City Council approved Federal Aviation Administration and Alabama Department of Transportation grant agreements for a runway extension and a two‑phase cargo/overflow apron at Tuscaloosa National Airport, and voted to approve a series of local permits and public‑works contracts at its meeting.

The airport projects were the largest items. Jeff (staff member) said the council had received a grant award offer for the runway extension project and was prepared to execute the agreement to begin bidding and construction services. The primary runway will be extended by 1,100 feet; the city’s required match for that grant was described in the meeting as 2.5 percent, or $676,597, which staff said has been budgeted. Jeff said the runway extension is intended to let some aircraft carry heavier loads without a takeoff weight penalty and will primarily benefit cargo operations and large charter flights.

Jeff also described a two‑phase cargo/overflow apron project identified in the airport’s 2021 master plan. Phase 1 (site preparation) is included in the current grant application; Phase 2 (paving) is tentatively scheduled in 2026. He said the airport has observed brief surges of large cargo aircraft that exceed the capacity of the terminal ramp. For the phase‑1 work the council made a tentative award to John Plott Company; staff said the bid came from a single bidder but was within about 3 percent of the engineer’s estimate. "Wehave been notified that we're going to be awarded," Jeff said of the grant notice.

Separately, the council approved a right‑of‑way use permit requested by 5860 Old Montgomery LLC to install…