HOLLAND The West Michigan Regional Airport reopened last week after its runway was closed for two weeks for a rehabilitation of the main runway and taxiways.
The airport s runway is open for daylight hours only through June 7, as crews continue to work on replacing lighting and other runway improvements. The airport is replacing all of its runway light fixtures, swapping incandescent lighting for LED bulbs.
Originally scheduled to reopen May 24, the runway closure was extended three days after crews encountered unforeseen issues with the runway pavement.
WMRA received a total of $4.1 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to fund the runway and lighting improvements, which covered 90 percent of the project cost.
Ongoing construction at WMRA forces some temporary closures
Sentinel Staff
The Airport Authority announced in 2019 projects to revamp the pavement and lighting on its main runway.
The airport will remain fully closed to resurface the runway and update airfield lighting to LED bulbs. Airport Authority officials said they hope to reduce closure times by completing both projects at once.
From May 25 to June 7, the airport will remain open during daytime hours, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. All runway lighting will be inoperable during this time, causing night time closures.
Construction crews will also remove and replace aging runway pavement. The facility upgrades will include replacing incandescent light fixtures with LED fixtures. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED bulbs use an estimated 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs while lasting 25 percent longer.
Sentinel Staff
HOLLAND Michigan Rep. Bradley Slagh, R-Zeeland, toured the West Michigan Regional Airport in Holland on Friday, April 23, speaking with airport officials about how the WMRA has handled the COVID-19 pandemic and future plans for it.
According to a WMRA press release, the visit included a tour of the airport’s main terminal, business center, hangars and on-site businesses, while discussing opportunities for future business expansions on airport property.
“Despite the turbulence of the last year, the West Michigan Regional Airport continued to provide the region with vital business transportation services, bringing economic opportunity to the region,” Aaron Thelenwood, WMRA executive director said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share our future airport plans with Rep. Slagh.”