About 500 residents turned out along with Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett and Rep. Jim Matheson to mark the occasion that has been in the planning for 20 years.
“This is a great event,” commented Dan McArthur, mayor of the southern Utah city. “We're planning for the future . . .. We'll be able to handle larger aircraft that will help us economically as regional jets or air freight or whatever decides to take advantage of the airport. It is also safer than the current airport.”
Construction began Oct. 1 when Arizona-based R.E. Monks started a six-month project moving four million cubic yards of earth to prepare the site.
When finished in November 2010, the airport will have a 9,300-foot runway, which could be extended to 11,500 feet, taxiways, amenities for general aviation and a 34.500-square-foot terminal. The federal government will contribute $118 million toward the $170 million project with money from the sale of the current airport and bonding by the city to cover the remaining costs.
Officials say that taxes will not be raised for the facility.
mhavnes@sltrib.com
