Wickenburg received a multimillion dollar grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for construction of the first phase of a midfield apron at the Wickenburg Municipal Airport. Work should get under way in early 2014.
The midfield apron is a key for future growth of the airport, which is operating under a new master plan approved by the Town Council in April. The apron will create a large paved area at approximately the midpoint of the runway where tie-downs for 30 more aircraft will be installed.
The apron sets the stage for future expansion of the airport, which will include a new terminal building and as many as double the number of hangars currently available. In a related project, Wickenburg is preparing to receive bids for a new airport fueling systemon the midfield apron.
“Our airport is growing in usage and this project will propel us in the right direction,” said Community Development & Neighborhood Services Director Steve Boyle, who oversees the airport. “We’re beginning to see the airport become the true economic engine that the council envisioned it should be.”
The total estimated cost of the project is $2.4 million. The town and the Arizona Department of Transportation will pay about $108,660 each with the FAA paying the rest.