Jul 21, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 4 min read

DUNBAR TWP. – U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said updating the Connellsville Airport is his number one transportation project in the state and vowed that it “will get some funding” this year. Exactly how much funding remains to be seen, Santorum said, because the federal transportation bill is still in subcommittee. However, Santorum said Friday that he should have some preliminary numbers sometime this week.

The Fayette County Airport Authority is in the midst of a master plan to update and upgrade the airport and eventually extend the runway. Two years ago, Santorum dedicated $1.4 million to the airport.

Santorum, the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said that, across the state, he gets the most requests in the area of transportation.

“It’s very competitive. We have to set priorities,” Santorum said during a press conference at the airport.

Santorum said he normally doesn’t tell people where they are on the list, but he made an exception in the case of the Connellsville Airport because it is number one.

Robert Schiffbauer, a member of the airport authority, said the board is pursuing a fixed-base operator (FBO) for the airport and is looking into relocating the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation bus shuttle service to the airport to make it an intermodal site.

Schiffbauer said the authority has entered into an agreement with the Westmoreland County Airport Authority as they go through the master plan.

“I think the improvement and plans are critical to the business community,” Schiffbauer said.

Scott Bush, an engineer for airport engineer Benatec Associates and master plan project director, explained that the airport was constructed in the late 1930s by the military, and visitors still drive over an underground wooden water line when they enter the site. He said the airport is still using the original sanitary sewer line that was installed when the site was constructed.

Phase II of the master plan should be completed by April 2003, Bush said. After an alternative for the runway extension is selected, it could then go to preliminary design.

“We have to complete the master plan before construction,” Bush said.

If funding can be secured, the runway extension project will then commence.

When Santorum asked how long the runway needs to be, Bush said 5,500 feet would “really serve this airport extremely well.” The runway is 3,800 feet long.

Bush outlined where Santorum’s original donation went, saying money was used for updating the pilot controllers’ lighting bulbs, completing a storm water management project and rehabilitating the access road, all project that are dedicated toward safety. He said work on the road will begin later this year.

He also said the airport is in dire need of T-hangars and has a waiting list of 18 airplanes.

“Future projects for the five-year plan are to catch up with current times,” Bush said.

Fayette County Commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh said the county has given money to the project, and all the airport authority members seem to be pushing in the same direction.

Fayette County Commission Chairman Vincent A. Vicites said $2.5 million is needed to complete the final design to keep the project moving.

“We’re doing everything we can to revitalize Fayette County. We need your help,” Vicites said.

Airport consultant William Piper said the airport has applied for $250,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission competitive funding for the airport access road relocation project.

While not knowing a specific amount, Santorum said the allocation will be only as much as officials believe the airport can spend throughout the fiscal year.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa owner Joe Hardy said an expansion is needed at the airport to help his business.

“There is a need. We can’t have a 3,800-foot runway,” Hardy said, adding that the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport is a two-hour drive from Fayette County.

Hardy said he would like to see things get done at the airport, noting he will continue to expand his resort. “Things have been messed up, but I see a ray of light now,” Hardy said.

Fayette County’s tourist attractions – including Nemacolin Woodlands, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Ohiopyle and Fallingwater – also were mentioned. Santorum said tourism is the number one industry in the state, and he tries to find areas that have a plan and vision that, with a complement of federal dollars, can make something happen.

“Tourism is growth potential,” he said.