b'56 DCUTAXIWAYSNew Taxiway Paves the Way for RapidCommercial Development at Pryor FieldBY KEN WYSOCKYA new taxiway completed late thisfacility is located just north of the airport summer at Pryor Field Regionalterminal.Airport (DCU) marks the first stepTogether, the taxiway and access road in an aggressive expansion program to helpcost $2.6 million. Funding was provided by a FACTS&FIGURESthe northern Alabama airport keep pace with$1.3 million FAA grant, a $73,000 grant from dramatic regional economic growth. the Alabama Department of Transportations Projects: New Taxiway; Access Road The 563-foot taxiway provides access toAeronautics Bureau and issuing $1.2 million Location: Pryor Field Regional Airport, in Tanner, AL 25 acres of land on the northwest side ofin bonds. Approx. Cost: $2.6 million the airfield that is slated for development as Funding: $1.3 million FAA grant; $73,000 granta center for cargo operations. The airportsMore Development on Tapfunding from AL Dept. of Transportations Aeronauticsmaster plan envisions a 188,000-square- Additional commercial development is Bureau; $1.2 million bond issue foot ramp and ample room for hangars thatplanned on the southeast side of DCU. Taxiway: 563 ft. long, 35 ft. wide will house corporate aviation facilities andConstruction of an approximately 1,100-Purpose: Provide access to developable land oncompanies that support on-demand cargofoot taxiway is slated to begin in September northwest side of airport operations via chartered airlines.2024. When complete, the $3.2 million Access Road: 700 ft. Airport Directorproject will open up 85 more acres of land Engineering Consultant: Goodwin Mills Adam Fox reports thatfor commercial development. A sewer line Cawood (GMC) the Pryor Field Airportto service the area will be added at a cost of Concrete Work: Wiregrass Construction Co. Inc. Authority already has$2.4 million. Construction: Fall 2023-Aug. 2024 four letters of intent fromDevelopment on the southeast side will Key Benefits: Enables development of 25 acrescompanies that want tocenter on maintenance, repair and overhaul on northwest side of airfield, including a proposedbuild facilities on the site.facilities. The airport master plan includes 188,000-sq.-ft. ramp & hangars for on-demand cargoThe new taxiway,ADAM FOX space for more than a dozen hangars. operations; enhances airports reputation & role as regional economic engine along with a 700-footEarlier this year, the airport authority board Associated Project: 700-ft. access road access road that runs perpendicular to itsapproved a 25-year lease with a 10-year west end, enabled construction of a nearlyoptional extension for Acquisition Integration. Follow-up Projects: Sewer line & 1,100-ft. taxiway13,100-square-foot corporate hangar withThe company plans to build a roughly $25 to serve 85 acres on southwest side for development byclassroom space for a flight school. Thatmillion, 50,000-square-foot hangar that will maintenance, repair & overhaul companiesOctober 2024AirportImprovement.com'