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Pittsburg commission approves FAA grant application and awards runway rehab contract at municipal airport
Summary
The Pittsburg City Commission authorized an FAA grant application for $655,500 to rehabilitate runway 17/35, approved a $498,486.20 construction contract with American Road Maintenance pending FAA concurrence, and amended consulting services with Olsson for construction-phase engineering and closeout work.
The Pittsburg City Commission on June 23 authorized staff to apply for a $655,500 FAA Airport Improvement Program grant to rehabilitate runway 17/35 and the runway‑17 turnaround at Atchison Municipal Airport and approved related contract actions to carry out the work.
Brian Coons, lead engineer with Olsson, told commissioners the project will address larger cracks with partial milling and asphalt patches, apply a seal coat across the runway and remark pavement markings. He said the FAA typically reimburses 95% of eligible costs and the city’s share would be about 5%.
“...this grant that you're applying for would reimburse 95% of the engineering costs for that design bidding phase,” Coons said, describing construction observation, materials testing and grant administration that will be added to the consulting agreement. The commission approved amendment No. 1 to Olsson’s agreement to add construction‑phase engineering and closeout services.
The commission also moved to award the construction contract for the runway work to American Road Maintenance of Tucson, Arizona, for $498,486.20, pending FAA concurrence. Olsson staff said the low bid was competitive and substantially below conservative engineer estimates because specialized airport contractors can achieve efficiencies on FAA‑specified mixes and processes.
Coons outlined the schedule and operational impacts: contractors will phase work and the primary runway will be closed for construction; the crosswind runway can accommodate some smaller jets when weather permits. Coons said the bid hold and FAA scheduling mean that physical construction is likely to occur in the next suitable construction season.
A separate change order to an earlier taxiway and hangar‑connector job added $10,752.93 for corrected holding‑position markings and signs; the commission approved the change order. Commissioners also approved a master‑plan work order with Olsson to update the terminal‑area plan, do an archaeological/historical environmental review, and position the field for future hangar development and funding opportunities.
The commission voted unanimously on the grant application, contract award and consulting amendment, authorizing staff to accept the forthcoming FAA grant offer and proceed with contract steps when the grant is finalized.
