The Virginia Tech-Montgomery Executive Airport in Blacksburg was operating normally this past week for the first time since idling its airstrip for restoration six months ago.
Pilots were gratified to see the surface of the 4,550-foot runway -- which had been cracked and gray from 30 years of use -- is now smooth and black.
"We're so excited," Blacksburg pilot Glenda von Dameck said. "People can come in and use our airport with ease."
This was no quick patch job. Crews rebuilt nearly 90 percent of the runway from the ground up. They raised the airstrip at its midpoint by five feet to almost completely smooth out a dip and bring the facility to standards for corporate jets. Federal funds covered almost all of the $5.9 million cost.
The extensive work required severe flight restrictions that began in April. While the airport was open for small propeller aircraft during the rehabilitation project, it was closed to all larger aircraft. Nightime operations were called off.
Virginia Tech Air Transportation Services, which uses a Cessna Citation to fly Virginia Tech staff and faculty on university business, state employees on state business and representatives of related corporations, shifted to Roanoke Regional Airport.
As the Tech football season approached, officials and crews hustled to finish so that fans could fly in for games.
Allen Bowman, chair of the airport authority board, honored contractor Branch Highways and Campbell & Paris Engineers for a job well done. They substantially completed the project six weeks ahead of schedule and $150,000, or 2.5 percent, under budget, airport manager Michael St. Jean said.
All that's left to do is etch grooves and apply permanent markings. That won't happen until after the new asphalt is given about a month to cure.
St. Jean said he expected 35 aircraft would fly in Saturday for the Tech-Clemson game.
"This place is going to be rockin'," he said Thursday.
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