(TEMPLE, TX – June 13, 2014) This past week, Temple’s Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport completed construction on the largest project in Airport History. The $8 Million dollar project has reconstructed the airport’s secondary runway 02/20. This runway is approximately 4,800 feet in length and is used for crosswind training, flight training and helicopter operations. “The airport is fortunate to have dual runways,” states Airport Director Sharon Rostovich. “Dual runways provide arriving aircraft with the best runway to land on according to wind direction and speed. The use of runway 02/20 is also extremely critical when the primary runway 15/33 is out of service for maintenance work.”
“The airport requested consideration for a runway and taxiway overlay project in 2003 because of surface and drainage concerns on the Airport’s secondary runway 02/20,” states Rostovich. “The last overlay for the runway was 37 years ago and the last slurry seal application was 18 years ago. TxDOT Aviation added the project to the State’s CIP program at an estimated $2.8 million. In May 2011, engineering work began. After engineering reports were in, it was determined the runway and several taxiways needed more than just an overlay increasing the grant project to nearly $8 million.”
This project not only reconstructed the secondary runway, but also rehabilitated the taxiways serving both runways as well as the aircraft parking apron. The airport also installed much needed backup emergency generators to power the airfield lighting and navigation aids, the fuel farm and the operations building.
The Airport has been fortunate to receive multiple grants to maintain the Airport at the highest standard for our flying customers. This major grant project follows a recently completed 700’ Runway 15/33 extension project to the tune of $4 million bringing the primary precision ILS runway to 7,000’.
The Airport is home to several large corporate jets supporting major businesses in Temple along with 74 single/twin engine aircraft and helicopters. In addition, the Airport provides excellent facilities for our transient customers including medical and organ donor flights, law enforcement; wildlife management; business support; firefighting; fixed and rotary wing flight training; military support; recreation; and the airshow.
Rostovich says “This would not be possible without the support we receive from TxDOT Aviation Division, our city leadership, the Reinvestment Zone, our valued customers and loyal staff.”
