The City Commission heard Tuesday night that the city’s estimated cost for the reconstruction of the main runway at Manhattan Regional Airport had already gone up six million dollars.
Bids are scheduled for April of next year.
The majority of the more than 54 million dollar project will be covered by an FAA grant, but the city is currently on the hook for 11 million, 210 thousand dollars or more.
Commissioner Usha Reddi asked if there was a way to lock in prices at current levels.
The closure between April and early September of 2023 is actually a money saver according to Diane Hofer with Olsson.
Hofer says the main contractor will likely be from the region and a company with experience in similar projects.
Manhattan Regional Airport Director Jesse Romo told the commission that the pandemic’s effects in 2020 are helping them plan for the closure.
American Airlines flights will be affected by the closure, but the airline is fully prepared according to Romo.
