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Too many close calls at RC airport - Officials seek new taxiway for fast-growing air serviceBy MaryHelen Swanson So when pilots fly into airports, some not using, nor even owning a radio, things can get rather frightening for others using the taxiway. Itís happened in Rush City, too many times for comfort. Monday night, April 8, several people connected to the Rush City Regional Airport went before the city council seeking approval of an expanded taxiway project. The improvements are mainly for safetyís sake in light of the fact that the Rush City airport is one of the fastest growing in use in the eastern part of Minnesota. Don Swanson, chairman of the airport board, presented three options for improvements that included a full-length taxiway parallel to the existing taxiway (see graphic), a new parallel taxiway just to the south, or just taxiway turnarounds. Cost vary as the projects expand. The full-length taxiway could come in just under $1 million, the partial parallel to the south, about a half a million and the turnarounds about $200,000. The good news is that U.S. Representative James Oberstar is working to get funding for a project at the Rush City airport, which could cover 90 percent of the costs. In fact, Oberstar has all but promised the funding and is encouraging the full-taxiway expansion. Safety is the biggest concern, everyone agreed. A student pilot was on the runway and could possibly have been involved in a serious accident, he noted. And Hanson said it happened again just last Saturday morning. Nelson said the truth is that something like this happens one or more times a month. He noted that about 50 students are trained at the airport each year and that could mean 300 operations (take offs and landings) per student making the Rush City airport a very busy site. Nelson and Hanson figure there are about 10,000 operations at the airport each year. Nelson said Rush City is one of the busiest airports around, busier than Cambridge, Princeton, Moose Lake and Cloquet. It is the only airport in Chisago or Pine counties. Mayor Mike Skalsky said the close calls were dramatic, but the increased traffic was ìsomething else.î No one disagreed that the improvements were needed, the issue is finding the funding for the project. City Administrator Daniel Hoffman said he talked to the Chisago County HRA about some available funds. The council also considered asking Pine County, Chisago County, Pine City and nearby townships for some assistance also. Councilman Mic Louzek said it was really important to find the funding sources. In a letter dated April 3, Pine City Mayor Jane Robbins pledged continued support for the development and expansion of the airport. Mayor Skalsky concluded that the council was in agreement that the project was needed, that funding should be sought, and that they should plan to move forward. In other business Monday night, the council: ï Heard from RC Chamber member Clare Lillis regarding the Chamberís desire to develop a good working relationship with the city. He also said the Chamber was interested in the cityís long-range planning. Mayor Skalsky said the cityís comprehensive plan was its planning tool and that it might need some updating as it was last revised in ë96-í97. He said the city would welcome input from the Chamber on these issues. ï Was approached by Mike Murphy from Brookside Golf Course regarding a liquor license. He would like it by May 15 as he will be operating a temporary club house at the new golf course. There were questions about the requirements for seating, etc. that needed to be addressed. Murphy told the council he needs to know what he has to do to comply with the cityís code. No action was taken. ï Directed Jay Mankie of Genesis Wireless, a high speed internet provider out of Braham, to work with Administrator Hoffman on a lease agreement for use of the cityís water tower for relay equipment. ©ECM Post Review |