Omaha Airport Gets Funds to Complete Runway Expansion

COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Part of the new runway at the Bluffs Municipal Airport will be open to air traffic in January.

The airport's north-south runway is being redone and expanded as part of a $17 million project. Most of the money has come from the federal government, with the rest from local and state sources.

So far concrete has been poured for 4,000 feet of the 5,500-foot runway, said airport executive director Dan Smith.

The latest appropriation from Congress for the project is $3 million. That will let crews to complete the expanded runway, Smith said.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, was expected to tour the new runway today with airport officials.

With most of the runway complete, limited air traffic from private and corporate planes will use it starting early next year. The expansion will allow for more corporate air traffic.

Part of McPherson Avenue was closed in July to allow for the longer runway.

During construction, all flights have used the airport's other runway, which runs northwest to southeast.

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