Politics & Government

County Pushes Toward Completion of New Runway at Miller Air Park

Federal grants will help pay for the $5.8 million project

Written by Patch Senior Field Editor Dan Nee

Construction of a long-awaited crosswind runway at Miller Air Park in Berkeley Township will likely be completed in December, county officials said.

The effort to finish construction on the new, 3,400 foot runway at county-owned airport will be aided by a Federal Aviation Administration grant of $1.2 million which was announced this week. The grant will cover lighting, signage and pavement markings for the runway.

The crosswind runway, officials said, has been in the works since the airport opened in 1968. The runway, much shorter than the 6,000 foot-long main runway, will run perpendicular to the main runway be used by smaller planes that would otherwise have had trouble landing due to adverse wind conditions. The alternative runway will improve safety at a time when the airport is being used not just by civil aviators, but many government agencies.

"It serves an important role when it comes to public safety, and housing aircraft that are used by public safety agencies," said Freeholder Director Jack Kelly.

The total cost of the project will be $5,806,037 according to a bid awarded last year, of which $4 million will be covered by federal grants.

Crews have already laid down subgrade materials, and are expected to begin laying down concrete by the end of the week, said County Engineer Frank Scarantino. 

"We are scheduled to complete it by the end of the December with the new money coming in," said Scarantino, who cautioned that the timeline is dependent on the weather cooperating during the fall months.

The project also includes improved stormwater basins at the airport as well as the installation of lights, signs and striping, Scarantino said.


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