Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA)
2021 Outstanding Airport Construction Project
Presented by the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics
Central Wisconsin Airport – Mosinee, WI
Central Wisconsin Airport completed reconstruction of Runway 17/35 during the 2021 construction season. Planning for the project began in 2016, with an Airport Master Plan focused on evaluating alternatives for eliminating the existing “T” runway intersection, which FAA had identified as a safety critical “Hot Spot”. The alternative selected included shifting Runway 8-26 to the east and maintaining Runway 17-35 at its existing location.
The first phase of a multi-year program to shift Runway 8/26 was reconstruction Runway 17/35 pavement, which had reached the end of its useful life, and will be the only runway available during much of the Runway 8/26 shift project. The reconstruction included runway longitudinal grade adjustments, connector taxiway reconstruction, safety area grading, navigation aid improvements, parallel taxiway pavement rehabilitation, runway and taxiway LED edge lighting, replacement of air traffic control tower controls, and electrical vault improvements.
The total project cost about $16 million dollars with the majority of the funding coming from the FAA.
Bids for construction were opened in June, 2020 and even through COVID-19 pandemic related labor and supply chain issues the project was completed within schedule on October 31, 2021.
The new runway consists of LED lighting that will provide energy efficiency, is 6,501 feet long by 150 feet wide and 15 inches thick. It took approximately 5,000 loads of concrete to complete the runway. The new runway will serve travelers in Central Wisconsin for decades.
Becher Hoppe is proud to be a part of projects at the airport since 1969. Congratulations to everyone involved in the success of the airport!