Airport authority receives $400,000 grant for improvement projects
Funding for much-needed improvement projects at the Connellsville Airport soon will be on the way. According to the state Department of Transportation, the Fayette County Airport Authority has received nearly $400,000 for infrastructure improvements to the airport. The money will be used to construct an airport sanitary sewer system and rehabilitate drainage and detention ponds. The improvements will help bring the general aviation airport into compliance with federal standards.
The funds are part of a matching grant program. The airport and state Department of Transportation each will pay for 5 percent of the project, while the Federal Aviation Administration funds 90 percent.
Robert Schiffbauer, vice chairman of the airport authority, said that since some of its infrastructure is deteriorated, the airport “drastically needs” the improvements.
Benatec Associates engineer Scott Bush previously said that the airport is still using the original sanitary sewer line that was installed when the site was constructed in the late 1930s.
Schiffbauer said he wasn’t surprised by the grant award: “We knew it was in the system and it was just a matter of time.”
“Maintaining and improving both large and small airports are critical to moving our people and products safely and efficiently,” said state Secretary of Transportation Bradley Mallory. “Airports, with their untold contributions to a community’s economy, are as vital to Pennsylvania’s transportation system as bridges and highways.”
Since the authority was aware of the money, plans already are under way to move forward with the improvement projects.
At the authority’s Tuesday work session, the board opened bids for repair and upgrading of the retention ponds and piping projects, Schiffbauer said.
In order to move forward with those projects, the authority must address all right-of-way issues and then award the contracts.
“We have to make sure everybody’s concerns are addressed,” Schiffbauer said.
Schiffbauer, who was named to the board about six months ago, said a variety of needs at the airport have not been addressed for years.
In addition to completing the necessary improvements, the airport is conducting a master plan that ultimately includes an extended runway.
Also, work is under way to find a replacement for airport manager Diana Wally, who resigned early last month after nearly eight years of employment.
In addition to replacing Wally, the authority will soon have to replace fiscal assistant Melissa Dionis, recently notified the board that her last day will be next Friday. Dionis said she was just getting used to the added responsibilities since Wally’s departure when she got an unexpected job offer.
“They have to hire someone right away. They need someone to answer the phones,” she said.
Schiffbauer said the authority has advertised for the fiscal assistant position and plans to hire someone right away.
“We need someone to pay the bills,” he said, adding that although they authority has been without an airport manager for more than a month, the board has taken measures to keep the airport running.
Although the office will soon be very short staffed, Schiffbauer said the authority is finalizing an agreement with the Westmoreland County Airport Authority for consulting services.
Gene Lakin, director of the Westmoreland authority, is assisting with the master plan.
Although the authority is waiting for the final word on payment for Lakin, he may be paid using administrative fees in grants.
“We have somebody working for our interests who is able to guide us. It’s a big help that allows us to function and move forward with things so we’re not in the dark,” he said.