Pierre Regional Airport improvements continue in 2021.
This week, the Pierre City Commission awarded a $200,000 contract to R&W Construction to build an additional 40 parking spots at the Airport. The project, originally planned for 2020, was put on hold because of the pandemic. The project will ramp back up in 2021.
“We fully anticipate a traffic rebound once the pandemic is controlled,” said John Childs, City Engineer. “We had a shortage of parking before COVID hit; this investment should alleviate that problem and improve the passenger experience.”
The new parking spots will be located northwest of the terminal adjacent to the existing passenger parking lot.
Earlier this month, Morris Inc. completed its airport taxiway work. Morris was hired by the City to rebuild the taxiways to align with new Federal Aviation Administration requirements. To accomplish this, about 27,000 cubic yards of dirt had to be moved impacting about 4,500 square feet of the airfield.
“Although impact to the traveling public was minimal, this was a sizable project,” said Childs. “I’m pleased the work is wrapped up and that the area shouldn’t require any major attention for many years.”
A federal grant paid for 90% of the $3.9 million project. The remainder of the project cost is split between the State of South Dakota and the City of Pierre.