Joco Today

OLATHE, KS - Representative Sharice Davids joined the Johnson County Airport Commission to reopen Taxiway Bravo at Johnson County Executive Airport. The $5.7 million renovation of the aging taxiway, the final of three phases, was 100 percent funded by the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which Davids has voted to support. Davids previously joined the ribbon cutting for the reopening of Taxiway Alpha.

Davids was the only member of Kansas’ congressional delegation to vote in favor of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which boosted the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) with $22 million for Kansas. Of this specific AIP funding, Davids previously announced Johnson County Executive Airport received over $150,000 and Johnson County New Century AirCenter received nearly $700,000. Airports across the state can use these AIP funds for projects like the taxiway reopened today or to repair other aging airport infrastructure.

"Today's opening of Taxiway Bravo is an excellent example of the types of projects the bipartisan infrastructure law is helping address. This taxiway was past its expected service life and needed upgrades to remain safe," said Davids. "We came together today not only to celebrate this renovated runway and its impact on jobs and economic growth in our community, but also to share excitement for similar, future projects funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law's $22 million investment in Kansas airports."

“The Airport Commission is very grateful for our strong working relationship with our federal partners.  Taxiway Bravo lasted past its expected service life and this project would not have been possible without the support of the Federal Aviation Administration and our Kansas federal delegation,” said Larry Peet, Interim Airport Commission Executive Director. “This investment will service the community for several decades into the future through support for safe aviation operations and economic development opportunities.”

With over 40,000 annual operations and approximately 120 based aircraft, Johnson County Executive Airport is the fourth busiest towered airport in the state of Kansas. The project celebrated today rehabilitates a major runway at the Airport, with the realignment of two existing runways and installation of new LED lighting to reduce maintenance costs. Previous phases of the project included replacing concrete, adding lighted signage, and installing additional, brighter LED lights.

Davids voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which is implementing the most comprehensive and holistic approach to improving U.S. airways. The law is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings and has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In total, Kansas has received approximately $28.8 million in 2022 and 2023 for airports from the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Original source can be found here.