After more than 20 years, the Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport (KLXT) now has the necessary funding to begin paving the extension of its north/south runway.
By doing so, it will mean a greater variety of business class aircraft will be able to utilize the airport. This could lead to an even greater economic impact for the entire community, according to city officials.
The Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport master plan, first approved in 1996 and then updated in 2000, paved the way for airport improvements by calling for the north/south runway length of 5,500 feet.
The earthwork project to accommodate the longer runway began in October 2015, and was completed in summer 2016.
Bids for the runway pavement project were received in May 2016, with Emery Sapp and Sons being the low bidder. The pavement project will begin in fall 2016, and should be complete in fall 2017.
The project will be phased due to the necessity of airfield closures. The engineering design firm for the project is Crawford Murphy and Tilly, Inc.
At the Oct. 7 Lee’s Summit City Council meeting, councilmembers approved accepting nearly $10 million in FAA grants for continued improvements to the airport. The FAA grant will cover 90% of the cost of the project.
The grants will fund the construction of the concrete pavement for the approximate 1,500 foot extension of north/south runway 18-36 from 4,000 to 5,500 feet.
In addition to the funding from the FAA, there are other dollars crucial to the success of this project. The breakdown of the funding comes from the following sources:
- City of Lee’s Summit, by way of the Airport Capital Improvement Plan, is providing 5% local matching funds of $520,709.
- A State Airport Aid Agreement is providing an additional 5% of the project cost, or $520,709. This is handled through the MoDOT.
Presently, the airport can accommodate aircraft ranging from a single engine, single seat, up to, and including midsize corporate jets.
Approximately 50,000 takeoffs and landings occur annually, which is the equivalent of about 137 operations daily. The majority of these operations are business related flights bringing marketing, professional, technical, service and support staffers to the area.