Arnold Palmer runway widening to begin at night thanks to $1.5M FAA grant

The Westmoreland County Airport Authority got some more help from the federal government to widen the runway at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.

Late last week, the Federal Aviation Administration announced a grant of up to $1.5 million for the runway improvement, supplementing $11.1 million in federal dollars previously approved for the project.

“This completes the funding for this project,” said authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo. “We’re excited.”

The extra funding will cover an alternate project bid that will allow contractor Golden Triangle Construction to perform initial work at night, when flights aren’t scheduled at the Unity airport.

“It gives the contractor extra time to get the job done and it gives pilots the chance to use the airport during the day,” Monzo said.

He said the night work is expected to begin as early as the coming spring, with work hours to be determined by flight schedules. Progress also will depend on weather conditions, he said.

Golden Triangle will expand the runway width from 100 feet to 150 feet, adding a 25-foot strip on each edge.

Monzo noted the wider runway will provide a larger target for pilots landing in inclement weather while planned strengthening of the runway, with the addition of three inches of asphalt, will lay the groundwork for a potential increase in the number of flights.

Spirit Airlines, the sole carrier at the Unity airport, offers flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and to destinations in Florida.

During the initial night work, crews will widen the northwest edge of the runway — the side farthest from the terminal building.

A complete shutdown of the runway for up to 16 days is planned, in September 2020, so Golden Triangle can widen the opposite edge of the runway and install new navigation lights.