b'58 FXEGENERAL AVIATIONFort Lauderdale Executive Races the Clockand WeatherDuring 10-Day Runway RehabBY KRISTIN V. SHAWFort Lauderdale Executive AirportWe have the (FXE) has a significant effect onBahamas and the its local economy. AccordingCaribbean in our FACTS&FIGURESto the most recent Florida Department ofbackyard, says Airport Project: Runway Pavement Rehabilitation Transportation Economic Impact Study,Director Rufus James. Location: Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, in FL the general aviation facility supports nearlyClientele who spend Runway: 9-27 23,000 jobs and generates $3.9 billiontime in the Bahamas annually. And theres room to grow.have homes on privateRUFUS JAMESProject Duration: 10 days, with crews workingislands, so they often 24 hours/dayAircraft count on FXEs staff and four fixed-base operators to be available 365park their jets here and then take a smaller Scope: Resurfacing Runway 9-27 (6,002 ft. long,aircraft to the outer islands. 100 ft. wide), part of Crosswind Runway 13-31days a year, and the runways to be clear within 9-27s safety area & portions of 12 taxiways;and in good condition. When the mainWith a full Customs and Border updating geometry of intersection of Taxiway A1 runway (9-27) needed to be repaved,Protection facility, FXE is an important & Runway 9-27management wanted the project finished asinternational point of entry.Cost: $9.6 million (vs. initial projection of quickly and efficiently as possible. Time, asTo minimize downtime during the recent $ 9.7 million) always, is money; at FXE, it costs millions Funding: 90% FAA grants; 5% FL Dept. ofof dollars per day to be out of service.runway rehabilitation, airport management, Transportation; 5% airport funds engineering consultant Kimley-Horn Located approximately five miles fromand contractor General Asphalt set an Timeline: Bids solicited in early 2024; quotes wereFloridas Atlantic Coast and six miles northambitious goal to get the entire project returned that summer; contractor cleared to proceed Oct. 15, 2024; construction Feb. 24- March 7, 2025 of downtown Fort Lauderdale, FXE is adone in 10 days. Not only was the work Engineering & Design: Kimley-Horn reliever for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywoodcompleted by the deadline (two hours early, & Associates Inc. International Airport (FLL) and serves asin fact), the team finished $130,000 under General Contractor: General Asphalt Co. Inc. an important jumping-off point for aircraftbudget. All in all, this project was worth heading west and south toward the islands.celebrating. Key Benefits: Improved runway conditionsSeptember 2025AirportImprovement.com'