'Higher Up the Totem Pole': Federal Money will Land Lancaster Airport in a New Class.

Lancaster County

As far as safety improvements go, being able to better see an airport runway ranks pretty high. In Lancaster County that’s part of an improvement list that can put the county airport in a new class.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday that it will award almost $800 million for airport safety and infrastructure grants in 46 states and more territories. One of 15 South Carolina airports to receive funding is Lancaster County Airport-McWhirter Field. The Lancaster County airport grant of $913,000 will go to runway installation, a vertical visual guidance system and apron rehabilitation.

Paul Moses, airport manager, said part of the improvements involve a new lighting system to improve visibility for larger planes as they approach the runway.

“It’ll make it easier to see the runway in bad weather,” he said.

A couple of years ago the airport put in a heavy apron ramp for jets and other heavier aircraft. The new grant will allow for the same improvement at another ramp, in front of the terminal. Improvements will make the airport more accessible for corporate jets, improving the airport from a third to second class rating for corporate travel.

“What that does, it puts us higher up the totem pole,” Moses said.

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Moses said he’d like to get improvements started in the next couple of months.

Separate from Tuesday’s announcement, the airport could get funding through the $68 million capital improvement plan in Lancaster County. County voters will decide in November on a package that includes money for jail space, recreation, roads and other projects. The airport portion would be $900,000 for a new airport terminal and hangar.

The federal money announced Tuesday includes more than $16 million for South Carolina airports. Columbia Metropolitan, Greenville-Spartanburg International, Laurens County and Myrtle Beach International each recieved more than $1 million — the only airports in state to get more than Lancaster County.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport across the North Carolina state line gets $17.4 million of the federal money for apron expansion.

“This nearly $800 million federal investment in airport infrastructure will strengthen safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide many economic benefits for local communities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Funds include a variety of upgrades nationwide from aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment purchase to runway and taxiway construction, repairs, lighting, signage, master plan studies and fencing.

“These 383 grants will allow airport sponsors to either begin or complete construction projects that will maintain the safety and efficiency of our national airport system,” said FAA Administrator Stephen M. Dickson.

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