Asheville News

Asheville Regional Airport construction project, funded in part by $7.6 million in stimulus cash, gets off the ground

Jason Sandford August 4, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

A $9.5 million construction project, funded in part by $7.6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is now underway at Asheville Regional Airport. The funding, which was distributed by FAA, will be used to improve the terminal at Asheville Regional.

Beginning this month, all flights will depart from the B-gate area as the A-gates undergo complete renovation. Additionally, the security checkpoint will be under construction.

“This project will not only enhance the terminal and improve the travel experience at AVL, but it will also infuse the local economy by creating jobs,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., airport director.

The project will create a new, larger A-gate area, which also will be relocated to the lower level; a revamped security checkpoint, new post-security concessions, additional offices and storage, among other improvements. Renovations are schedule for completion by summer 2010.

In addition, other construction projects underway include parking lot and Terminal Drive rehabilitation, including toll plaza renovation, and improvements to the general aviation roadway.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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2 Comments

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biltmoreparker August 5, 2009

Folks, this is a great example of your tax dollars at work on a project that is not required.

The Asheville Regional Airport in recent years has seen passenger traffic and number of flights continue to decline. The number of passengers and destinations continue to shrink.

The airport’s terminal has always been nice, small and easy to navigate and flying was always easy. For the past several years the place has been a constant construction zone starting with lots of Homeland Security money to spend. Now, they are doing more with the stimulus money. Adding jet bridges–when we only have regional jets and props flying here is crazy.

The big drawback at AVL will always be lack of flights and higher fares to fly from AVL. You can just about always get a better fare from GSP, CLT and ATL.

What a waste of our tax dollars on more changes at an airport that doesn’t need them. I would like to see this spending going to our schools, not to our little airport with the big fares.

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