ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 21, 1996 TAG: 9611210036
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
Grading began this week for a new $8.5 million cargo ramp and plane de-icing area at Roanoke Regional Airport.
Heavy equipment dug at the red earth in the background Wednesday as the Airport Commission held a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony near the 10-acre site in the northeast corner of the airport.
"Air cargo is one of the most rapidly growing parts of our business," Commission Chairman Bob Johnson said. He attributed the growth to the presence in the region of businesses such as Hanover Direct, Orvis and the U.S. Postal Service.
From 1990 through 1995, air freight moving through the airport grew from 22.8 million to 50 million pounds, and during the past three years the airport led all Virginia airports in domestic air-freight growth. Air cargo levels grew by 8 percent in October, Johnson said.
The cargo ramp and plane de-icing pad will resemble a huge parking lot composed of 40,000 square yards of concrete. It is capable of simultaneously handling three large and three smaller planes, ranging in size from Boeing 737s up to Boeing 757s and an Airbus A300.
It will be accessible from Virginia 118 (Airport Road), which will be widened with dedicated turn lanes. Included in the project will be a two-acre paved sorting area adjacent to both the road and ramp
The airport commission and state and federal government are jointly funding the project. Construction is expected to be completed by the middle of 1998. Branch Highways Inc. of Roanoke is the general contractor.
LENGTH: Short : 36 linesby CNB