New airport runway completed; still work to be done
August 17, 2011

The concrete paving of the new runway at Rooks County Regional Airport was officially completed on Wednesday, August 17.  The paving has been ongoing over the last several months, with most of the pouring being completed in the cooler morning hours.  Turnarounds and the apron parking area still remain to be paved.

Stretching 5,000 feet in length and 75 feet wide, the runway will be of sufficient size and length to accommodate aircraft used by many businesses, as well as fixed-wing Life Watch flights for the hospital.  "One of the goals of the new airport has been to meet the needs of several of our largest employers in Rooks County, as well as any future business needs," commented Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe.

The Rooks County Airport Commission has been overseeing the project and is working to establish rules and regulations for building on the airport site, and planning for hangar development.  The commission also hopes to have a fueling station located at the airport not long after the official opening. 

The airport is located approximately five miles south of Stockton and 6 miles north of Plainville.  The access road to the new airport will be the western portion of P Road.   The connecting road to the hangar and apron area will be constructed in the next several months.

According to Rick Emley, site manager for Lochner, Inc., the airport itself should be finished around the first week of November.  Once open, the new airport will replace existing turf runways located near Stockton and Plainville.

The project is being funded through a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.  Rooks County contributes a 5-percent match in funds.