Thursday, August 11, 2011

FAA tower work could resume 'soon' at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (KAZO), Kalamazoo, Michigan.

KALAMAZOO — Airport Director Cliff Moshoginis said Thursday he didn't know when construction would resume on the new tower at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, but he expected it would be very soon.

Moshoginis gave the update during Thursday's Kalamazoo County Aeronautics Board of Trustees meeting.

The federal government issued a stop work order on July 25 in Kalamazoo — and at other airports across the country — after the Federal Aviation Administration was partially shut down.

Congress failed to reach an agreement to fund airport projects, such as building new airport towers and modernizing air traffic facilities.

But the Associated Press reported Congress struck a deal last week that gives the FAA temporary operating authority. However, none of the aviation projects that were stopped have gotten the green light to start up again.

Moshoginis said many of the FAA employees returned from furloughs and are now prioritizing what projects will get funding again across the nation.

Kalamazoo's tower is partially completed on the east side of the airfield by Kilgore Road — which means there is a good chance it will be a "high priority" to get FAA funding, Moshoginis said Thursday.

The $14.4 million tower construction project began in late 2010. So far, the tower's base is completed.

Construction is scheduled to be finished in 2012 although it will take an additional year for the FAA to commission it and have it running, officials have said.

Moshoginis said he did not believe the stop work order has been long enough to cause a significant delay in the tower's timeline.

On Aug. 5, about 20 local union members picketed outside the airport to protest Congress' bickering. Between 50 to 60 people were out of work because the tower project was red-lighted. 

Source:  http://www.mlive.com

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