Airport authority moves forward with ramp, security project
The Fayette County Airport Authority has awarded a contract to a North Huntingdon company to have ramp upgrades and security work completed.
Authority members voted 5-0 Wednesday to award a $453,779 contract to Repal Construction Co. Voting in favor of the contract were board Chairman Terry “Tuffy” Shallenberger and members Jesse Wallace, Todd Radolec, Myrna Giannopoulous and Fred K. Davis.
The project is part of the improvement plan for the Joseph A. Hardy/Connellsville Airport.
Representatives from Michael Baker Jr. Inc. of Moon Township, the engineering firm overseeing improvements at the airport, said $650,000 is budgeted for the ramp upgrade project.
The awarding of the contract is contingent upon acceptance by the state Bureau of Aviation.
In addition to awarding the ramp project, authority members unanimously voted to award a second $70,330 contract to Repal for security fencing near the terminal building.
The fencing would include an electric gate to allow airport tenants access to the property.
Two companies submitted bids for the total project, with Repal being the lowest bidder.
Lone Pine Construction of Bentleyville submitted a bid of $638,782 for the ramp project and $85,758 for the security fencing.
Both companies also submitted bids for additional work at the airport, but contracts were not awarded because doing so would have exceeded the project’s budget.
The project is being paid for with a grant received in 2010.
In other business, Michael Baker representatives gave authority members a report on the airport’s improvement plan, with projects scheduled through 2016.
Projects include upgrades to runways and taxiways, wetland monitoring, system upgrades, the purchase of snow-removal equipment and rehabilitation of runways.
In other matters, authority solicitor Mark Rowan informed members he will not be seeking the position next year.
Rowan said if the authority is interested in advertising for a new solicitor that he would be willing to assist in the transition period.
The authority thanked Rowan for his service.
The next authority meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in the terminal building.