Back in August of 2019, Gov. Jim Justice was in Bridgeport announcing up to $20 million for a three-phased project at the North Central West Virginia Airport.  The first phase of the project involved creating flat land for a new terminal building off State Route 279 and the terminal building itself.

 

More than six months later, officials still hope to begin moving dirt this year. Wednesday, a tentative timeline was discussed by Chad Biller of the Thrasher Group, the airport’s engineer as well as the engineer that will handle the project.

 

Biller talked about the timeline during the Benedum Airport Authority meeting.  The Authority is the governing body for the airport.

 

Prior to the timeline discussion by Biller, Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang gave a preview of the biggest issue with getting going. And it involves permits.

 

“A lot of this depends upon getting the environmental permits finalized,” said Lang.

 

Two groups need to sign off on the project creating land for the terminal project. One is the FAA and the other is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  

 

Biller said the FAA has commented on the plan and he has been trying to set up a meeting with the FAA in New York to go over comments. However, he said attempts to contact the FAA to set up a meeting have been unsuccessful.

 

“We have to have some discussion whether we want to submit (final plans) without having the conversation with the FAA or not,” said Biller.

 

After that, Biller laid out the tentative timeline. He said a permit will go to the Army Corps of Engineers for the filling of the streams and wetlands involved with the project.

 

While the Corps is determining whether to issue a permit,  Biller said by the middle of March plans will be ready to be put out for bid for the contractor to do the work. He anticipates bids being opened by the middle of April when he hopes the FAA will sign off on the project.

 

“Once we have the FAA’s approval, we’ll be able to move some dirt and get the project moving,” he said. “Then, there will be a demobilization of the contractor and the contractor will demobilize until we get the Army Corps of Engineers permit, which will probably be summer or early fall. Then, we’ll come back and finish the project.”

 

A lot of the timeline, however, will depend upon approval from the FAA and Army Corps of Engineers. Airport officials and Biller have expressed frustration with the lengthy process to get the project moving.

 

Despite the frustration, the bidding on site work isn't the only thing progressing. NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock said four firms would be interviewed to do the design work on the new terminal. A total of seven firms submitted applications to do the work.