Airport authority hopes to get pipeline cost before deadline
LEMONT FURNACE – The Fayette County Airport Authority is nervously waiting for Duke Energy to complete its design and cost estimate for relocating three natural gas pipelines or installing stronger lines so the authority can proceed with a runway extension project. At Wednesday’s meeting, board members said they are worried that they will not receive the design and cost estimate in time to submit the contract for a $1.1-million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aviation for the project by the Sept. 30 deadline.
Sept. 30 is also the deadline to apply for a $3.5-million through the bureau’s 2007 block grant program.
Another $1 million is also available this year for the project.
John Lightner, the project manager from engineering consultant Michael Baker Corp., said Duke finished surveying the work area and he advised the utility company to proceed with the design.
Authority chairman Fred K. Davis said Duke is considering two options for the gas lines.
He said the better option is to replace the sections of the lines that run underneath the proposed runway extension with heavier gauge pipe that can withstand the weight of the runway and airplane traffic.
The second option involves extending the lines around the end of the runway, but Davis said that would cost more and limit future growth at the airport.
The authority wants to extend the 3,458-foot runway to 4,500 feet.
In unrelated business, the board took up two issues relating to the airport terminal building.
The board unanimously approved a change order and paying General Industries, the general construction contractor, $26,000.
Richard E. Crimm, of Michael Baker Corp., said the negotiated change order resolves issues related to unforeseen problems discovered during demolition of the old hangar that stood where the terminal was built.
Davis said the change order and payment settles all outstanding issues concerning General Industries’ contract, which was more than $2 million.
In addition, the board also approved paying Pine Hollow Mechanical of Uniontown $5,726 for installing an air curtain at one of the terminal entrances.
Crimm said the authority is retaining $15,000 from Pine Hollow’s $165,000 contract until some problems with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system are corrected.