CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The second phase of airport construction funding could come faster than the Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority originally expected.
Chairwoman Lynn DeVault said Friday that, because some communities do not have the local money they need to match Federal Aviation Administration grants offered through the state, money expected next spring could be available this year.
That unclaimed money would then be available for Cleveland, which has enough money to match the grants, she said.
She will ask for $8.2 million for phase two construction July 8 when the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission meets, she said.
“We have no reason to expect that won’t be approved. They don’t let you apply unless it’s going to be approved,” she said.
Phase two is the site preparation for the airport itself. Current work is more about meeting environmental requirements, including ponds to collect water runoff plus rerouting part of Old Tasso Road and part of a stream.
Mark Paslick of PDC Consultants, the project engineers, said bids are go to out in August and come back by Sept. 1
Getting the money earlier will save time and cost, Ms. DeVault said.
“So depending on weather, we may be able to finish a lot of the grading this year,” she said. “And, if we are really, really lucky, we could finish all the grading and not be stopped for winter weather.”
Authority members voted to allow Ms. DeVault’ to sign contracts with the state for the second phase as needed.
Mr. Paslick also reported] there was a small sediment overflow from the site during a recent rain. The likelihood of sediment runoff from the construction site was used by the Tennessee Clean Water Network in an unsuccessful appeal in May to withdraw water quality permits.
Some sediment runoff crossed Michigan Avenue Road and pooled against a curb, he said. The runoff was reported to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, he said.
Mr. Paslick said the problem, created when a construction vehicle access road was closed, has been corrected.
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