Apr 17, 2002 By Nikki Stiles 2 min read

ROSTRAVER TWP. – The Westmoreland County Airport Authority secured a $95,000 grant through the office of state Rep. Ted Harhai (D-Monessen) to help complete a runway safety area at the Rostraver Airport. “The airport in Rostraver has continued to grow and expand to meet the needs of the local flying public and also business and industry. Through ongoing projects, the airport will be ready for the future needs of the region, as well. The airport is an important facet in the overall economic vitality of the region,” Harhai said.

The grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aviation is the second grant secured, according to Gene Lakin, executive director for the Westmoreland County Airport Authority. Lakin said the authority previously received a $612,000 grant for the project, which is expected to cost $780,000.

Lakin said the safety area includes a 200-foot drop-off that is being filled in at the end of Runway 26. When completed, the total runway safety area will be 300 feet long by 150 feet wide. He said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommended that the airport provide the area to allow pilots a margin of error on landings and take-offs.

“So, if a plane lands short or runs long, it won’t cause a major accident,” Lakin said.

Lakin said the airport is filling in the area with a by-product from Orian Power. This product is a combination of slag, fly ash, water and other materials, which hardens into a concrete material. Orian Power usually puts the product in a landfill, therefore the airport was able to obtain the material at no cost. The $780,000 price tag for the project is for the cost of the material being hauled in by a contractor. However, Lakin said the price is financially feasible, considering that if it were done by conventional methods, it could cost $5 million.

Lakin said the project is about 30 percent complete and should be finished by December, 2003.