Most people expect to see airplanes at airports, even service trucks. But at the Auburn-Opelika airport, other vehicles are taking center stage — dump trucks and bulldozers.
Right now, the airport’s new terminal and airplane parking areas are just flat dirt. But city, county and airport officials hope to see the new facilities finished in a year and a half.
“We started in 2002 relocating the site,” airport director Bill Hutto said. “We’ve been through a lot of planning and engineering… Construction-wise, it’s just site work (right now), but plans of the building are progressing along.”
The plans are close to being ready to bid out to contractors, he said.
“If all goes well, meaning we get money from the FAA to do the paving and lighting, we’d be ready to bid the building in April,” Hutto said. “(If that happens), we could start construction this summer.”
To serve the new location, which is several hundred feet from the current location, the City of Auburn will extend Twin City Court, recently renamed Bent Creek Road.
Built in 1950, the current terminal is plagued by peeling paint and chronic leaks.
“We’ve got great use out of it, but it’s too small and doesn’t have the amenities we need to take care of pilots and passengers,” Hutto said.
Along with a new terminal, new taxiways and a new airplane parking area, called a ramp, are planned. The ramp will allow planes to maneuver under their own power instead of being pulled to taxiways.
Four additional hangers will also be built at the new site.
Fuel sales have increased by 50 percent since 2002, and the airport has 29-seat jets landing on its runway, Hutto said.
The new location will help economic development by improving air traffic efficiency and travelers’ first impressions of the city, Hutto said.
“It will be something we can be proud of,” he said. “... It is about being able to serve our community.”
kstallcup@oanow.com | 737-2574
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement