During its May 2022 meeting in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission approved a $184 million Airport Construction Program (ACP) for fiscal years 2023-2027.
The money will go towards 85 airport projects in 57 communities across the state, according to commission officials. Oklahoma has 104 general aviation airports.
There are “many significant projects” in the approved ACP, most of which involve more than $127 million in FAA funds, commission officials noted.
Two major projects involve the construction of a new parallel taxiway at Ardmore Municipal Airport (KADM) and a runway extension at Robert S. Kerr Airport (KRKR) in Poteau.
In 2023, KADM will get $5.4 million for the next phase of its taxiway project, “which will help this facility enhance safety and expand its potential for maintenance, repair and overhaul and cargo operations in the future,” commission officials explained.
In 2025, $5.5 million will be invested to extend KRKR’s runway to 5,000 feet “to ensure it is ready for business jet aircraft and potential aviation companies,” officials noted.
Other notable projects:
- Tulsa Riverside: $3.3 million for taxiway reconstruction in 2023
- Max Westheimer in Norman: $9 million for construction of a new air traffic control tower in 2024
- Guthrie/Edmond Regional: $6.5 million for taxiway reconstruction and apron expansion in 2025
- Enid Woodring Regional: $2.7 million for apron expansion and rehabilitation in 2026
- Muskogee Davis Regional: $4.3 million for runway rehabilitation in 2026
- Atoka Municipal: $5 million for phase 1 of new airport construction in 2027
- Durant Regional: $3.8 million for apron expansion in 2027
- Mid-America in Pryor: $6.7 million for runway extension to 6,000 feet and strengthening in 2027
The commission will also participate in airport terminal construction projects at El Reno Regional, Guthrie/Edmond Regional, McAlester Regional, Ponca City Regional, Stillwater Regional, and West Woodward airports by providing state grants of $500,000 that require a 50% match from the local community.
“These terminal buildings are vital to the economic success of each community’s airport,” commission officials said. “They will provide beautiful and functional entryways into those communities for business and recreational travelers using the Oklahoma Airport System.
To see the entire list of projects included in the proposed ACP, go to OAC.OK.gov.