"Central Nebraska Regional Airport security puts maintenance on hold"

Sunday, September 14, 2003 

Airport security puts maintenance on hold
Manager Bill Stovall sees security changes as having both positive, negative
effects on daily operations 
By Tracy Overstreet 
The Grand Island (NE) Independent


Security changes at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport attributed to 9/11
have been both a positive and a negative, the airport manager said.

"The airport is much safer," Airport Manager Bill Stovall said, citing
inspections for weapons and explosives that are routinely conducted now on
passengers and luggage.

A set-back is maintained around the air traffic control tower, vehicles
cannot be left unattended near the terminal and access to the airfield is
highly restricted under other security changes.

However, the money used in providing that heightened security has also
created what Stovall deems a "critical" problem.

"The runway and the apron are in critical condition right now," he said.

Two harsh winters of freeze and thaw have caused serious cracks in the
pavement -- a problem maximized by the airport's lack of routine maintenance
on the runway and apron in anticipation of $10 million in federal renovation
funds that the airport was to receive in 2001.

But that was before the Sept. 11 attacks and the beefing up of airport
security measures by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
created in 2002.

"We lost the runway project out of it," Stovall said of TSA.

However, things may be changing thanks to pleas from the airport board and
Stovall and the help of Nebraska's congressional delegation.

The Central Nebraska Regional Airport recently was awarded a $4.4 million
grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use toward
renovation of the apron, taxiways and runway connectors.

Although the money isn't enough to fund the whole project, it appears more
federal money may be on the way.

A news release from U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel's office said the Hall County
Airport Authority, which oversees the Central Nebraska Regional Airport, has
been awarded an additional $1.55 million in FAA funds by the U.S. Department
of Transportation.

"Providing air service to Nebraska communities is vital to their survival
and to the economic well-being of the entire state," Hagel said. "This
funding will help the Hall County Airport Authority make the improvements it
needs to continue providing safe and efficient service in the future."

Stovall said that additional grant will give the airport enough to repair
the apron, taxiways and connectors.

Help from U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson's office may also mean funding to repair the
runway, Stovall said.

Nelson requested that Grand Island's airport's name be placed in the Senate
Appropriations bill, already approved by the Senate Appropriations
Committee, to receive another $5 million to $7 million for runway work.

That name placement is important, Stovall said, because it removes the
competition factor for funds.

"It protects me from someone like TSA coming and grabbing our funding," he
said.

If approved by the full Senate, the runway funds could be distributed in
2004, meaning the runway, apron, taxiway and connectors could all undergo
renovation during the 2004 construction season.

"Reliable air service is a lifeline for economic activity in Nebraska and
enhancing air operations in Grand Island can only help stimulate the local
economy," Nelson said. "I am pleased to have worked with Bill Stovall to
pursue additional funds for the airport and I know any additional funds will
be put to good use, enhancing the airport and increasing economic activity."


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