Standing at the edge of the east-west runway, CR 100E is just 50-feet away. High tension lines which need lowered can be seen in the background. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Warsaw Municipal Airport is looking towards the future, beyond it’s five-year goals and plans.

However the Federal Aviation Administration may have a different set of goals and plans.

These goals and plans include lowering power lines at the east end of the south runway, alternatives to the FAA’s interest in closing CR 100E. Immediate plans are insulating the shop building on the property. Capital improvement goals, going five years out to 2019-2020 are a new ramp where aircraft can park and moving and building a new terminal.

Nicholas King, airport manager, states the local airport has been asking the FAA for funds in lowering powerlines down to 50 feet since the 1980s. These power lines are 2,000 feet off the end of the runway. The cost has risen from $800,000 to over $5 million with the FAA paying 90 percent, but the project keeps getting put off.

King explained these are two main power lines, which cannot be buried, and would require complete reconstruction of the towers. Power would need to be killed to lower the lines and could only be done in the spring and fall. This would be a two year project.

The biggest topic, which the outcome is yet unknown, deals with CR 100E. Discussion a couple of years ago was the closing of CR 100E. “It’s not going to happen,” said King. “If the FAA had their way they would have closed it the third day I was on the job.”

A major roadway into Warsaw, yet having one of the most dangerous intersections – CR 100E and CR 250N, the road is prohibiting the airport from expanding. “We are all trying our hardest to keep it open and make it safer.

Agencies as city, county and MACOG are attempting to figure out a solution – re-routing the road, or an under pass are considerations. Environmental studies are being done for burying the road and tunneling it. This would allow the airport to extend the runway over the roadway. “We’re messing around with plans,” said King adding the solution would be what is best now, but preparing for 30 years down the road.

King stated currently the runway is within 50 feet of the roadway, with a displaced threshold shy of 1,000 feet west of the road. “By burying or looping the road, we can reclaim 900 feet. That alone gives more room to land. This east-west runway is used by 98 percent of all jets.

A current project is the insulation of the shop building, built up to 50 years ago with a dirt floor. This building not only stores equipment for the airport, but also the foam trailer for the fire department. The trailer and some of the airport equipment needs to stay above freezing. Insulating will allow the building to be heated. “We are hoping to cut our energy bills by 60 percent.

An additional goal is the building of a new ramp, or parking area for plans, because the airport is landlocked – railroad tracks to the east, county roads to the north, east and south, the moving and building of a new terminal would allow for more ramp space.
The terminal is the first impression many have of the city. “We get a lot of charter flights, we’re the golden gate to the community.” He’s not looking for a Taj Mahal, but a nicely furnished facility.