CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville Regional Airport hosted a re-opening for the primary runway (17/35) on June 4, which had been closed for developments since June 2018.
The project was completed as planned with a total cost of just under 13 million dollars.
Of the $12,929,454 funded for the project, $646,454 was a local investment from the city and county government, and $12,292,615 was provided by the state. The money went to rebuilding the runway, as well as its markings, lighting, signage, and an increase in taxiway clearances.
The project rebuilt the entire 6,000-foot north runway, which is now fit to accommodate aircrafts up to 90,000 lbs. The runway also now contains airfield signage meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards, which will remain in compliance with the FAA for the next 40-50 years. The entire runway/taxiway was repainted, which, and 195,000 cubic yards of fill was used to level the runway and move the parallel taxiway.
Other than the runway itself, the funding also dramatically improved the visibility for the pilots thanks to a new LED airfield lighting system, in likes with the signage, this lighting will now be compliant with FAA standards. It will not only offer greater visibility for the pilots but will also be lowering energy costs for the airport. The system will be using both solar panels and motion-controlled lighting at the terminal, which will result in even more substantial cost savings compared to the previous energy consumption.
Mayor Joe Pitts, who was at the re-opening spoke on the importance of the airport to the Clarksville community, “This is part of our community’s infrastructure,” said Pitts, “Without a functioning and successful airport, we would not be nearly as successful as we are.”