Design work for the next major infrastructure project at Manhattan Regional Airport is about to take off.
Airport Director Brandon Keazer shared details of the upcoming Taxiway Alpha upgrade on Monday’s edition of Within Reason with Mike Matson on News Radio KMAN.
“Taxiway Alpha is our piece of pavement that runs parallel to the primary runway,” he said.
The airport is seeking a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to cover some of the costs of the project. Keazer said while the project is in the early stages, the FAA has signaled those funds may be available sooner than the airport anticipated.
“With the FAA what traditionally happens is they tell you to hold, hold, hold, hold and then all of a sudden go and then you better go quickly,” he said. “That’s where we’re at.”
He plans to present an initial design contract to the Manhattan City Commission on Nov. 18. Construction is tentatively planned to begin in 2027.
Keazer also spoke about how the ongoing government shutdown is affecting the airport.
He said about 20 Transportation Security Administration officers at the airport continue to screen passengers daily, despite not receiving a paycheck as the shutdown enters its fourth week.
“Their mood is a little bit down but they’re treating our customers great,” he said.
The TSA officers handle all passenger screening for flights departing Manhattan and are among thousands of federal employees impacted by the shutdown. Keazer said the shutdown is not directly affecting Manhattan’s air traffic controllers.
“Our tower is a little bit different, we’re a contract tower,” he said. “The tower is owned by the City of Manhattan. All of the equipment is the responsibility of the airport’s, but the folks up there working are through the contract tower program, which is through Midwest ATC. They are being paid because they are contract employees.”
Flights in and out of Manhattan continue to operate on schedule, with American Airlines serving both Dallas and Chicago.