UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning voted today (July 16) to send a proposal for a taxiway rehabilitation at University Park Airport to the full board for its consideration.
The proposed plan seeks to replace the taxiway, which has exceeded the Federal Aviation Administration’s recommended 20-year service life. In addition to replacing the pavement, the proposal calls for:
- Removing direct access to the runway from aprons;
- Increasing the size of the hold-bays;
- Widening fillets and shoulders to meet current FAA design standards and better accommodate larger aircraft;
- Upgrading the storm sewer; and
- Removing an abandoned cross-wind runway.
Funding for the $34.8 million project will come primarily from the FAA, with some additional funding from the Passenger Facility Charge. The project will also compete for funds from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program discretionary funds.
Officials expect the improvements will be phased in over a number of years as federal funding becomes available and airfield access is available.
The proposal will be considered by the full board on July 17.