TAXIWAY PROJECT IS GAMBLE ON INCREASED USE OF AIRPORT

There are no slot machines or blackjack tables at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

But if Cape Girardeau gets a riverboat casino, gamblers could be flying into town on 100-seat, DC-9 airplanes.

Airport Manager Greg Chenoweth said such a scenario is a real possibility.

The airport will be able to better accommodate such aircraft thanks to a $2.17 million construction project, funded largely by the Federal Aviation Administration, Chenoweth said.

The project involves reconstruction of ramp areas, recabling of runway lighting, construction of additional ramp space and a new taxiway.

The old, buried cable for the lighting system has deteriorated, resulting in short-circuits.

The new taxiway will handle larger aircraft. "We are setting it up to make it easier for when the jets come in," Chenoweth said.

Standing on the airport grounds, Chenoweth gazes at the construction equipment, the bed of upturned earth for the future taxiway and the shallow pit of an area where the old ramp concrete has been torn out.

To the airport manager, it is a visible sign of progress.

Chenoweth said the airport could experience increased traffic from a gambling boat at Cape Girardeau.

At Tunica, Miss., gambling led to the reopening of the local airport, which is now thriving, he said.

Chenoweth said he isn't trying to promote gambling. He just wants the airport to be better able to accommodate all types of aircraft, including general aviation.

The airport would also see increased traffic if it attracts an aviation firm that wants to refurbish 727s and other large jets.

The airport improvements will put the city in a better position to land such a business, he said.

"It's kind of, build it and they will come," Chenoweth said.

The project also will provide room to park about 30 more general aviation planes in tie-down spaces.

Chenoweth said the added parking could lead to greater use of the airport by general-aviation pilots.

Some of the old, ramp area has been torn out and will be replaced with a new, concrete pavement.

Both that area and a new ramp area will benefit from in-pavement drainage.

Chenoweth said the old pavement used to have drains, but years ago they were filled in with concrete.

As a result, water stood on the pavement. Freezing and thawing made matters worse, causing cracks and potholes.

Construction began in mid-August and should be completed by the end of November.

Brenda Kay Construction and Dumey Excavation, both of Oran, are working on the project.

An FAA block grant will pay 90 percent of the cost, with the city picking up 10 percent.