Rehabbing the runway

On July 22, Islip supervisor Angie Carpenter was joined by Sen. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to announce that Long Island MacArthur Airport will receive $8.4 million in airport capital improvement funds for the Rehabilitation of Runway 15R/33L and Taxiway Sierra.

“The airport brings thousands of skilled jobs to our area and is essential to the local economy, which is especially important now, as Long Island recovers from the devastating effects of COVID-19,” Carpenter said. “We are grateful to Sen. Schumer, Sen. Gillibrand, congressmen Zeldin and Garbarino and all the elected officials supporting this funding on behalf of Long Island,” she added.

MacArthur Airport commissioner Shelley LaRose Arken said the “existing pavement for Runway 15R/33L is nearly 25 year old, showing signs of age-related distress.

“Additionally, the existing guidance signs are in need of replacement, and new energy-efficient LED signs and panels will provide consistency on the airfield,” she added.

Runway 15R-33L is approximately 5,186 feet long by 150 feet wide. The runway was last resurfaced in 1996. In 2018, the runway pavement was classified as fair to poor in some sections with medium to high levels of cracking and weathering.

The funding also enables the rehabilitation of Taxiway Sierra pavement and replacement of guidance signage. Taxiway Sierra pavement is between 26 to 31 years old and considered in poor to fair condition. Taxiway Sierra is approximately 4,800 feet long by 75 feet wide and is one of the most heavily used taxiways on the airfield.

The total cost of design, construction and support services is $8,435,486. The project is 100 percent federally funded with 90 percent from the AIP and 10 percent from the COVID relief funds.