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No Comments [ Add Comment ]Fed money goes to Ogden airport
By JEFF DEMOSSNew taxiway will be completed
OGDEN -- Federal funding to complete a new taxiway at Ogden-Hinckley Airport is on the way, according to the United States congressman who represents the Top of Utah.
Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, this week announced a $2.1 million grant from the Department of Transportation to finish the 8,000-foot taxiway, which runs parallel to the airport's main runway.
The grant, to be distributed by the Federal Aviation Administration, is the final piece of funding needed to finish the remaining 3,000 feet of the taxiway, which is slated for completion in September.
Ed Rich, manager at the city-owned airport, said the taxiway will improve the safety and efficiency of takeoffs and landings.
"It makes it easier for airplanes to get off and onto a runway without having to go through too many turns and stops," Rich said.
"Every stop and turn a pilot has to make is a chance for a mistake."
The taxiway will eliminate the need for aircraft to "back-taxi," a procedure in which a plane has to make a 180-degree turn at the end of a runway when there is no other option.
Rich said the taxiway will also make the airport more attractive to commercial airlines, which the city has been trying to recruit for regularly scheduled passenger service.
"It becomes somewhat of a factor for airlines to be able to get to the runway by the shortest route," he said. "An extra quarter-mile here and there means a lot more fuel consumption over the years."
An initial grant of $2.5 million, awarded in May of last year, allowed the project to get started.
The federal government is footing 95 percent of the bill, with Ogden City and the State of Utah each contributing about $125,000.
While momentum for the funding was in already in place due to changes in FAA policy, Rich said Bishop was instrumental in securing the money. "He's been particularly helpful for our airport."
Ogden-based Staker & Parson Cos. is building the taxiway.
Once it is complete, Rich said the airport will focus on adding hangars. It currently has 235 hangar spaces and a waiting list of about 25 people.
"Hopefully, there will be some government money available to help with that, too."
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