CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council passed two resolutions Monday evening concerning Cullman Regional Airport, allowing the facility to improve its runway and make takeoffs and landings safer.
The first resolution awarded the bid for the airport runway reconstruction project to Wiregrass Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $4,012,534.56. The only other bidder was Good Hope Contracting Co., Inc. with a bid of $7,247,586.75.
While no safety issues were identified with the runway concerning its current aircraft loads, Harrison said in 2019 that it has “currently a few weak spots.” The planned improvement will alleviate those issues and allow the runway to handle heavier aircraft than it does at this time. One of the main goals of the overall project, from its inception, has enabled all of the paved surfaces of the airport to support the weight of larger and heavier aircraft, to help make the Cullman area more accessible and attractive to existing and potential future industries.
In May, Congressman Robert Aderholt announced a $3.4 million grant from the federal government that will help to reconstruct the runway and runway lighting at Folsom Field/Cullman Regional Airport as part of its ongoing five-year plan.
Said Aderholt, “I’m pleased to announce that the Cullman Regional Airport will be receiving these funds. The funds are being administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century. As a member of Congress, and specifically, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I strongly believe in these types of investments in our infrastructure. Folsom Field has played a vital role in Cullman and Cullman County’s current economic boom. It has been used as a direct recruitment tool for companies deciding to locate to the area. This investment will ensure that success continues.”
The other resolution condemns avigation (aviation navigation) easements along the southern end of the runway for flight safety. The city will not take property as a result of the condemnations, but the resolution grants the city authority to cut trees on the affected properties in order to bring the airport in line with current Federal Aviation Administration regulations for safe takeoffs and landings.
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