Keokuk, IA – Work will get underway at the Keokuk Municipal Airport when the winter weather clears up. Airport Manager Greg Gobble says a $300,000 federal earmark will be used for upgrades and improvements throughout the complex.
Gobble says a lengthy list of future projects continues to grow. He says the list currently includes the repainting of runways, replacing or upgrading runway lights, and resolving drainage issues.
Gobble says some obstructions must also be removed near one of the runways. He says only 3575' of a 3801' runway can now be used because of trees, a radio tower, and other elevated structures.
Gobble says the first project, this spring, will be the repairing of cracks and broken panels in the runways and taxiways.
Street Reconstruction
Meanwhile, the upcoming road construction season will be a busy one in Keokuk
Keokuk is working off of a 12-year, $12-million street reconstruction program. This spring's projects include four blocks of Blondeau Street and portions of Second, Third, Fourth, and Eight Streets in downtown Keokuk.
The largest project on tap is the reconstruction of Grand Avenue. The city has explored the idea for years, but is now ready to commit the money.
Keokuk wants to narrow the street to 44' from 4th Street to 15th Street. Tom Marion says the idea has sparked the most debate among all of the projects.
The city has held several meetings with people living along Grand Avenue to address their concerns. Final designs and engineering for the roughly $3.5-million Grand Avenue project are still being developed.