A running start on needed work to the Sawyer International Airport’s runway will be handled, largely through federal funding, Marquette County officials confirmed recently.

The money from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration – just over $175,000 – is about 90 percent of the project’s overall $195,000 cost. The balance will be split evenly by the state of Michigan and Marquette County. The count received about $1 million from the FAA this year for all projects, including the runway upgrade.

Overall, the runway project, which will see the runway shortened from its current 12,366 feet to about 9,000 feet, is worth about $6 million. It will be divided into multiple phases and will be funded from a variety of sources.

“This investment will make traveling to and from the Upper Peninsula safer and more efficient,” U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said in a written statement distributed to area media. “Safe and reliable air travel will also help encourage businesses to invest in the region and create jobs.”

Maintaining Sawyer hasn’t come cheaply for Marquette County and never will. Chalk it up to the cost of doing aviation business.

Mining Journal (Marquette)