Airport Bump May Finally Get Fixed

The County may finally get around to fixing the hump in the runway at Fayette Regional Air Center this year.

Last summer, the Commissioners Court budgeted funds to fix the runway hump this year. The Commissioners authorized Airport Manager Debra Maddox to advertise for bids for the repair at their meeting last Thursday, Jan. 11.

“Back in 2000, (the County) extended the runway from 4,000 ft. to 5,000 ft.,” Maddox said at Thursday’s meeting. “They saw cut a line through the different levels of pavement. And right there where that saw cut was, a hump developed over several years.

“It’s not noticeable to smaller aircraft, because smaller aircraft don’t get to the end of the runway,” she added. “We’re having a lot more corporate jets come in. When they take off to the north, they’re accelerating enough that you can see the nose of the airplane bounce when they go across it.”

Maddox said the Texas Transportation Institute conducted tests on the runway and deemed it unacceptable.

“We have to do something about it,” Maddox said. “It was in the budget last year, but it got cut. Now we have money budgeted for it.”

In addition, Maddox said Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently increased funding to its airport grant program. She said the County will be eligible for a $100,000 grant with a 10 percent local match.

She said the repair will involve the removal of 100 feet of runway pavement on both sides of the hump. Workers will then install new pavement in that section. She said the work will be completed according to TxDOT specifications.

She said the bid will also include a smoothness test following the repair to ensure against two new humps from forming.

Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize Maddox to advertise for bids.