Project at Sikeston's airport set to begin in June

SIKESTON, Mo -- A step toward upgrading the Sikeston Memorial Airport for corporate jets was taken with the award of a $1.86 million improvement contract.

Council members accepted the bid from Asa Asphalt of Advance, Mo., of $1,855,195.80, the lowest of the three bids received for the project, during a special meeting Friday.

With seven bid packets sent out, bids were also submitted from Apex Paving Co. of Cape Girardeau for $2.13 million and R.L. Persons Construction of Poplar Bluff, Mo., for $2.33 million.

This project will move about 1,000 feet of Campanella Drive as required to comply with Runway Safe Area restrictions and put an overlay on the airport's runway and the taxiway leading from the apron to the runway, according to Steve Lee, street superintendent.

Lee said construction should begin in June.

While not included in this project, fencing along a stretch of Campanella Drive must also be moved to comply with the RSA requirements. Lee said the fence will be moved at a later date.

The next step to bring the airport into compliance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements for allowing larger planes to land at the airport will include moving the main taxiway so it isn't as close to the runway.

"Hopefully we can do that next year," Lee said. He said the city has been advised to begin working on the design work for that project now.

The final step in updating the airport would be improving the terminal and hangars in about two years.

In order to get the project underway and meet deadlines for funding, the council also approved two emergency bills authorizing the mayor to execute contracts following a review by Chuck Leible, city counselor. "There is a very tight time constraint because of the stimulus money," Lee said.

The two contracts with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission combine $402,524 in federal non-primary entitlement funding with about $1.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Block Grant Program funds.

A match of $21,186 from the city will be required.