AVP board Approves Contract for Next Phase of Taxiway Extension

Mar. 25—PITTSTON TWP. — Construction of a taxiway extension at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport continues to progress as the bi-county board approved the bid of a Honesdale-based company to complete the next phase of the project.

During a meeting Thursday, Leeward Construction Inc. was awarded a contract of $6,998,000 for the site preparation of the Taxiway B extension.

In April, the board awarded a contract to JBS Dirt Inc., a Canastota, New York-based company, to build a new access road to the airport's control tower and do the preparatory work necessary for an eventual 1,200-foot southern taxiway extension.

On Thursday, the board approved a change of the bid from $4,600,765 to $4,673,085 for the removal and disposal of unsuitable soil found during the stripping of the existing ground for the construction of an embankment. In addition, soil stripped in the area of a borrow pit was found to contain asphalt and organics and was unsuitable for use as fill. The material was disposed of onsite.

Stephen Mykulyn, director of engineering for the airport, said two additional phases are anticipated for the project — relocating a navigational device, and constructing taxiway pavements and installing edge lighting and signs.

This project, when finished, will add the last bit of length to provide a full-length parallel taxiway to the airport's main runway.

Airport director Carl Beardsley Jr. continues to be encouraged by the number of boardings at AVP.

The number of people flying out of the airport increased to 11,686 in February, a 67.3% increase over the 6,987 departures in February 2021, he said.

Seat availability in February was up 36.2% over February 2021, with American Airlines being up 61%.

"We have airlines who increased the amount of available seats by putting in mainline aircrafts — the big jets you normally see at places like Newark or Washington D.C.," Beardsley said.

The airport is also taking steps to make travelers with disabilities fell more comfortable when they visit the facility.

Through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which will be rolled out in the coming weeks after airport employees are trained, people with "invisible" disabilities including autism, speech, dementia, and mental health issues, can reserve a sunflower lanyard to alert staff members they may need additional help navigating the airport.

"The Hidden Disabilities lanyard program enables someone with a disability to choose to be discretely visible, so support, assistance or just a little more time and kindness can be given," said airport executive assistant Eve Hennigan.

To reserve a lanyard prior to traveling, contact Hennigan at 570-602-2014 or [email protected].

Contact the writer:

[email protected], 570-348-9131

@rtomkavage

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