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The airport's runway is being extended to make it safer for large planes to land.
Story by Kate Krivanek
BLUEFIELD -- Mercer County Airport Manager, Randall Earnest, said crews are almost finished extending the airport's runway by 300 feet. He said the extension provides safety zones for flights over-shooting the runway. A new runway lighting system is among the scheduled renovations.
The lights will aid straying pilots.
Earnest said these changes are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
"The FAA monitors all accidents. Anything that happens they try to make recommendations to deter the same thing from happening again," said Earnest.
Other projects are happening inside the airport. Terminal improvements include new windows, a new heating and cooling system, and some outdoor insulation.
Earnest said he hopes the changes will help attract a new commercial air carrier. The Mercer County Airport lost its commercial carrier two years ago, since that time it has served only private planes. |
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