Council accepts FAA planning grant for airport layout update, including runway safety study
July 02, 2025 | Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council authorized acceptance of an FAA planning grant to update the airport’s Airport Layout/Program (AOP), a step staff said will support runway safety work and future development approvals.
Director John Bray told council the FAA grant totals about $418,400 including the city’s local match; because of the most recent FAA reauthorization, the local match for this grant is 5 percent instead of the earlier standard 10 percent. Staff said the city’s cash contribution would come from airport capital funds and the local portion is roughly $20,000.
Bray said the AOP update will focus primarily on runway safety at the airport’s north end near Easton Hill, where the paved runway currently has a 200‑foot runway safety area compared with the more typical 1,000‑foot safety area at the south end. The update will evaluate options such as an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) and other alternatives FAA staff prefer so the project can be classified as a safety enhancement and secure the highest level of FAA funding. The AOP will also integrate two recently constructed or under-construction hangars and identify other potential commercial development locations on airport property.
On timing, staff said planning projects typically take six months to a year but the grant allows up to four years; council discussion referenced a runway extension project timeline out to about Feb. 2030 for major construction and noted the AOP update will help position the runway work to attract FAA safety funding.
Council approved the grant authorization by voice vote. Staff said acceptance of the grant will allow the city to move forward with planning, incorporate recent and planned development items into the AOP, and pursue the runway safety improvements under FAA project designations.
(Ending) Staff will proceed with the AOP update under the FAA grant and return with project schedules and additional funding steps as plans develop.
Director John Bray told council the FAA grant totals about $418,400 including the city’s local match; because of the most recent FAA reauthorization, the local match for this grant is 5 percent instead of the earlier standard 10 percent. Staff said the city’s cash contribution would come from airport capital funds and the local portion is roughly $20,000.
Bray said the AOP update will focus primarily on runway safety at the airport’s north end near Easton Hill, where the paved runway currently has a 200‑foot runway safety area compared with the more typical 1,000‑foot safety area at the south end. The update will evaluate options such as an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) and other alternatives FAA staff prefer so the project can be classified as a safety enhancement and secure the highest level of FAA funding. The AOP will also integrate two recently constructed or under-construction hangars and identify other potential commercial development locations on airport property.
On timing, staff said planning projects typically take six months to a year but the grant allows up to four years; council discussion referenced a runway extension project timeline out to about Feb. 2030 for major construction and noted the AOP update will help position the runway work to attract FAA safety funding.
Council approved the grant authorization by voice vote. Staff said acceptance of the grant will allow the city to move forward with planning, incorporate recent and planned development items into the AOP, and pursue the runway safety improvements under FAA project designations.
(Ending) Staff will proceed with the AOP update under the FAA grant and return with project schedules and additional funding steps as plans develop.
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