Kendall-Tamiami runway to grow

The 5,002-foot main runway at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport in South Florida is finally going to be extended to 6,000 feet, thanks to a grant from the FAA, some money from the Florida Department of Transportation and revenues from airport property. Although the airport had hoped to extend Runway 9R-27L to 7,350 feet, funding is available only for the 1,000-foot extension, which will still enable larger business aircraft to use the airport while carrying more fuel for longer flights. The current economy is helping, too, as a competitive bidding environment allowed the FAA’s portion of the funds to cover 95 percent of the $4.43 million cost of the runway extension and relocation of the ILS. Groundbreaking for the runway extension is planned for February, and the longer runway should open in early 2011.