By Victoria LaFollett-Koenig
Nacogdoches, Texas
(Nacogdoches, November 3, 2006) Today, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced the City of Nacogdoches’ award of $4.020 million in federal monies has passed all criteria – including a runway expansion/ extension justification study – which now paves the way for major improvements to commence at A. L. Mangham Jr. Regional Airport. The grant, to be administered through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, lays the groundwork for the ultimate expansion and extension of the City’s primary runway from 5,000-feet long, 75-feet wide to 5,800-feet long, 100-feet wide – thereby, allowing larger and heavier aircraft traffic access to the airport.
During the event, officials highlighted a number of recent improvements to A. L. Mangham Jr. Regional Airport:
- New Pilots’ Lounge and Airport Manager’s Office – The newly renovated facility (previously, the abandoned old terminal building) has a number of amenities including conference meeting space for pilots and passengers, Wi-Fi access, computer terminal access, 24-hour facility access (pilots should contact the airport manager for access information), local brochures, coffeemaker, microwave, refrigerator, cable TV weather and news, and ADA accessibility. The Stephen F. Austin State University Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center contributed several large-scale maps of the local area – prominently displayed in the facility.
- Remote Communications Outlet (RCO) – This recently added technology allows pilots to use aircraft radios to access a phone line to acquire take off clearance under instrument conditions.
- Resurfacing of Runway 18-36 and Adjacent Areas – This complete resurfacing of the airport’s primary runway not only improved the pavement surface but also increased the wheel load capacity to 30,000 pounds. This project included the construction of a new Taxiway “B” – allowing more direct access from the runway to the apron area, construction of an extended Taxiway “C” to serve hangar areas and sealing of all pavement surfaces in the hangar area. Other aspects of the project addressed taxiway drainage improvements and upgrades to airport lighting controls for both the runway and taxiway.
- Airport Security Gates, Gate Operators and Cameras – New gates with electronic operators at major access points have been added – as well as numerous security cameras.
- MALSR Lighting System – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently begun the installation of a “medium intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment lights” (MALSR) – used by pilots during instrument landing approaches. The MALSR creates a safer landing environment for pilots landing in poor weather conditions. This is an on-going project expected to be completed next year.
- Airport Layout Plan (ALP) – A new ALP is now being developed. This all-important tool provides an exact “picture” of the entire airport plant, and it serves as a cornerstone for future airport development. The ALP is projected to be completed next year.
City Manager Jim Jeffers extolled the progress being made at A. L. Mangham Jr. Regional Airport. “The City of Nacogdoches is extremely fortunate to have such a great aviation facility. The opportunities for development are many. The positive working partnerships we’ve developed at both the state and federal levels have allowed the city to make great strides through various grants,” Jeffers said. “We are especially grateful for the assistance Senator Hutchison has provided us – as has been demonstrated once again with today’s announcement.”
Recent improvements noted to date, not including the $4.020 million announced today, total nearly $10 million – most of which has been accomplished through state and federal funding.
