Oct. 25--PITTSTON TWP. -- Driving up Interstate 81 northbound near the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, the long latticed metal structure with its blinking lights is unmistakable, particularly at night.
That structure, called the Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator, is an important feature of the airport, one which helps pilots land safely, particularly in bad weather.
Read Casey's letter
But if the 54-year-old system is not repaired or replaced soon, it could compromise safety as well as economic growth, says U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who stopped at the airport Thursday to speak about his efforts to get the Federal Aviation Administration to prioritize funds for the effort.
Winter is approaching, and Northeastern Pennsylvania weather can be notoriously severe, Casey said. It's crucial for airplanes to be able to land safely when the weather is not ideal, he said.
That's where the Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator, or MALSR for short, comes in. The system was erected in 1959, modified in 1985 due to a runway extension and its lighting was replaced in 1987, airport Director Barry Centini said.
The system is important because it provides pilots with a visual reference. Its lights increase visibility substantially, from 1/4 of a mile to 3/4 of a mile, Centini said.
However, the system has been out of service since it was deemed unsafe after an inspection in January. It is not secure to stand on, there are problems with the handrails and decking, and many of the light bulbs are burned out, among other issues.
The system needs to be either repaired or replaced. But the estimated cost could be anywhere from $3 million to $5 million.
"I would say it's well worth it when you consider the safety and economic benefits," Centini said.
The airport, which serves both cargo and passenger planes, plays a central role in the region's economy, according to Casey. He pointed out that unemployment rates in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area hover around 9.25 percent.
But without the ability to land safely, many carriers may choose to cancel their flights to the Pittston Township airport, Casey said.
Canceled flights not only hurt the airport financially, but inconvenience the people who use it, Centini said.
Casey sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administrator Michael P. Huerta on Thursday urging him to make funding for the MALSR a priority.
"With bad weather months quickly coming upon us, it is imperative we get the system back in shape," Centini said.
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Copyright 2013 - The Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
