Pangborn Memorial Airport is looking for bids to move 7,000 feet of its parallel runway and taxiway system.

Regional Port Airports Director Trent Moyers said the project should hopefully end in the late summer of 2023 and represents the next step in the evolution of the airport.

"We're going to replace old, deteriorating pavement and put in some new, wider pavement that meets the design standards that the FAA has," explained Moyers.

Specifically, the parallel needs to widen from 50 feet to 75 to accommodate Alaska Airline's Bombardier DH8 Q400's.

Work will include clearing and grubbing, grading, pavement removal and replacement, edge lighting, utility and storm drainage improvements, airfield signage, and pavement markings.

Engineers estimate the project's cost at $17.6 million. Officials will apply for a grant from the FAA to fund 90% of the project. The port is putting the project out to bid early so it can be part of the first wave applicants for those FAA grants. Projects in the first wave of grant applications have the best chance of being approved.

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