OTTAWA — The Ottawa City Commission gave thumbs-up Wednesday to a proposal to rebuild the main runway at the Ottawa Municipal Airport this summer. Consulting engineer Matt Jacobs said because of several factors, the main runway needs a massive overhaul and it will be more feasible to completely replace it. The runway won’t be lengthened but that should be a priority in the future, especially if the airport sees an increase in business jet use, he said. The project includes re-marking the runway and a new lighting system of LED runway lights. The Ottawa airport will be one of the first in the region to have the LED system, which will be cheaper to maintain and operate, Jacobs said. The city will pay a little more than $134,000 to match a $2.1 million Federal Aviation Administration grant. The airport will have to be closed for the four months the work is under way, Jacobs said. The city working out an exemption for Dodson Aviation, which has a shop at the airport, he said.
Thursday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.
