Airport receives seed money for future improvements

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Tom Glasgow, manager of the Tehachapi Municipal Airport, explains some of the improvements that may go into airport infrastructure.

The City of Tehachapi-owned airport has received initial seed money to go for what may turn out to be huge investment by the federal government.

City Manager Greg Garrett announced at the Aug. 18 City Council meeting that the city has been awarded a $190,380 federal grant for Tehachapi Municipal Airport -- a precursor to a much larger pot of money for reconstruction of the main taxiway.

Garrett said the full amount -- $2.29 million -- should be expected in 2016 from the Federal Aviation Administration, the federal government's top air safety watchdog. The $190,380 awarded to the city will kickstart the environmental assessment of the project in 2016.

According to Garrett, the full scope of the project will include the removal and relocation of the main taxiway, a new runway with improvements to its five connecting segments and run-up areas with striping and lighting, as well as installation of a 3,400 foot storm drain system with improvements to the existing water detention basin.

It's a large investment on the FAA's part, and one that's needed, said Tom Glasgow, manager of Tehachapi Municipal Airport.

"It's unheard of for a general aviation airport to receive more than $1 million from the FAA," Glasgow said.

The environmental phase is expected to take up to 18 months, and falls under the National Environmental Protection Act.

Glasgow said the airport will come under the scope from Fish and Game, Native American and a number of other examinations for things like noise and air pollution impacts to make sure the project can go fully forward.

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Airport receives seed money for future improvements