MANSFIELD, Ohio — Crews have begun to work on the $6.2 million improvement project at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport.
The project includes the resurfacing of Runway 5-23, the shorter of the airport’s two runways.
Bob Bianchi, city engineer, said about 66 million pounds of asphalt will be poured on this 6,800-foot-long and 150-foot-wide runway.
“We’re taking one inch of asphalt off, doing some pavement repair, and then putting four inches of asphalt back on Runway 5-23,” he said at a press conference Friday.
Also as part of this project, Taxiway Charlie will be removed.
Bianchi explained, “Taxiway Charlie is at a location that’s not in compliance with current design criteria and FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] standards, so that taxiway at the intersection of both runways will be removed as part of this project.”
Mark Daugherty, airport manager, said this project is long overdue.
“We’ve been written up by the FAA on our certification side for the pavement condition, and that was back in 2007,” he said.
Daugherty said milling of the pavement began Wednesday, noting the project is moving forward quickly.
Officials anticipate the project to be completed by Thanksgiving, depending on the weather.
Shelly and Sands of Mansfield is handling the construction.
The airport will still be operational, except for about ten days starting Sept. 14. During that time, the airport will be closed to all air traffic except for helicopters.
Col. Gary McCue, wing commander of the 179th Airlift Wing, is excited to see this project come to fruition.
“To get this runway paved really increases our capacity. It’s about military value, and the city understands what military value is and what this represents,” he said.
State. Rep. Mark Romanchuk pointed out what an asset the airport is to the area, saying, “I think it can’t be overstated the importance this asset has to Mansfield and Richland County and really all of Ohio as we prepare for the ‘Big Guppy’ to arrive in November–that should give you an idea of how important this asset is.”
Romanchuk was referring to NASA’s Super Guppy, a behemoth cargo plane that is slated to arrive at the airport Nov. 2, carrying equipment to NASA’s Plum Brook Station in Sandusky.
Mansfield Councilman At-Large Don Bryant, who is chairman of the airport committee, stated, “This is very important to the Mansfield community and this will bring investment and growth to our community for years to come.” Bryant sponsored legislation that helped pave the way for the airport renovations and was part of the original planning of the project.
The majority of the project was paid for using outside funds, with a 10 percent match from the city.
More than half of Mansfield’s $600,000 match is covered by state and local contributions.
Mayor Tim Theaker expressed his gratitude for everyone’s support.
“Without council’s support, we wouldn’t have been able to get the match dollars or get this project off the ground,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude for several government officials, including U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, U.S. Reps. Pat Tiberi and Bob Gibbs, State Sen. Larry Obhof and State Rep. Mark Romanchuk.
The airport terminal is also undergoing renovations, which hasn’t happened since it was built in 1985.
New flooring will be installed, the ceiling will be replaced, the restrooms will be upgraded and LED lighting will be placed throughout the building for energy efficiency. Also, sections of the walls will be removed to open up the area.
