MOUNT PLEASANT - The Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport has received a $1,150,501 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to rehabilitate a taxiway at the airport.
Bill Willard, airport manager, was unaware of the grant until asked about it Tuesday.
"I'm so excited," he said.
Those funds are dispersed through a Block Grant Program from the state through the state Department of Transportation Bureau of Aviation and will be used to rehabilitate Taxiway A, the longest taxiway at the airport. A taxiway is used to move plane traffic.
Both taxiways B and C were already improved through federal, state and local funds.
Bills must be submitted thorough the bureau for payment, Willard said.
"It's the original taxiway for the airport. It was built in 1959," he said.
About 3,800 feet long, the taxiway has seen better days.
Willard said the taxiway has "major cracks" in it. However, it is still safe to use, he said.
"There's lateral cracks. There's horizontal cracks," he said.
Some areas as so bad you can "go out and put your fist in some of those cracks," Willard said.
Work has been done periodically to repair the surface; however, that is not working so well because of the age and other factors.
He does not know when the work will start, saying it could start later this year and most likely would be completed this year.
Doing work on the taxiway has been on the "wish list" or strategic plan for the airport for years, Willard said.
The project was awarded late last year to Eastern Industries, Winfield, he said.
Just because a project is bid out and awarded does not mean the project will see the light of day.
"I was sitting here with my fingers and my toes crossed," he said about the chance to get funding for the project.
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, said the funds are needed.
"Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport provides Pottsville and the surrounding communities and businesses with vital aviation services. This grant will help the airport restore a crucial piece of its facility and benefit northeastern Pennsylvania," Cartwright said.
Emilio Mendez, staff and press assistant to Cartwright, said Tuesday, "The grant awarded to the Schuylkill County Airport was provided through discretionary funding and, therefore, is a competitive grant meant for a specific purpose."
Willard said the improvements to the taxiway will benefit the county.
"You're increasing the marketability of the airport," he said.