By Michael Howell
On Thursday, July 27, the Ravalli County Commissioners approved making a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration for a taxilane design and a replacement beacon at the Ravalli County Airport.
The commissioners discussed the projects in a teleconference call with Rick Donaldson from Montana State Aeronautics. Donaldson said that following conversations with FAA last June, the FAA is willing to support a project this year so long as it is independent of the EA for the airport improvement project that is currently in litigation. He said that independent projects were identified at the airport that are in need of fixing, including frost problems on the taxilane pavement and in the back hangars. The design for the taxiway reconstruction would involve a topographic survey and some geo-technical investigation into the gravel, sub-surface and top soils in the area. Another issue worth addressing would be replacement the beacon that is currently on loan and mounted on a rickety stand with a new beacon mounted on a collapsible frame that could be lowered for maintenance and repair. The beacon could be placed in a new position outside the operations area.
The project’s total cost is estimated at around $224,000. If the grant were approved the County would be responsible for 10% of the funding, or about $22,400. They could cut that in half with a grant from Montana Aeronautics.