January 15, 2020 244 PM
ALPINE — The Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport will soon see upgrades after receiving a $70,000 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.
The funds will go towards improving lighting at the airport and are part of TxDOT’s Aviation Facilities Grant Program. The Texas Transportation Commission approved the grant as TxDOT aims to give around $60 million to build and improve community airports.
Around 275 community airports across the state are eligible for the program, according to TxDOT. The agency says such airports are important for a range of purposes, from agriculture and medical calls to regular commuters.
Alpine’s airport continues to see more traffic, Michael Hammons, a TxDOT spokesman, said in an interview. But lighting at the airport is more than 30 years old and “due for an upgrade,” he said.
He noted that one of the airport’s runways (specifically, runway 1-19) could also use renovations — though he said funding for that project hasn’t been approved yet.
The City of Alpine manages the airport and will help cover renovation costs.
As part of the grant, the city will also be choosing a project consultant to oversee the project. Erik Zimmer, city manager, was not available for comment at press time.
