Davids Announces Funding for Structural and Safety Upgrades at Johnson County’s New Century AirCenter

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $545,711 to the Johnson County New Century AirCenter for needed structural and safety improvements to two runways that have experienced deterioration in recent years. The funds are distributed through the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, which was bolstered by the bipartisan infrastructure law with $22 million for Kansas airports, including the New Century AirCenter.

"When we make targeted investments in local infrastructure, our communities become safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle future economic development and job growth," said Davids. "Our community is located in the middle of the country, so we are perfectly situated to be a national leader in shipping and logistics, which improves domestic supply chains and lowers costs for Kansas families and businesses. These new funds to improve aging infrastructure will help ensure New Century AirCenter can move goods for years to come."

"As the second busiest airport in the State of Kansas in 2022, we are seeing a large uptick in traffic and the need for a reset on our major surfaces has never been greater" said Larry Peet, Interim Executive Director of the Johnson County Airport Commission. "Staff works hard to maintain existing runways 18-36 and 4-22, but the last reset of this magnitude was in the early 2000's. Having new and improved surfaces will significantly reduce the amount of additional staff time it takes to extend the life of the existing surfaces. Representative Davids continues to vote in support of the FAA's Airport Improvement Program, which is what makes this type of project possible."

With over 60,000 annual operations and approximately 120 based aircraft, New Century AirCenter is one of the busiest towered airports in Kansas. The grant announced today will help rehabilitate two runways at the AirCenter. First, the deteriorated surface of a 7,339-foot runway will be replaced with new asphalt, ensuring runway safety and structural integrity. Second, a binder will be laid to seal and repair cracks on a 5,112-foot runway, providing a layer of protection against water, oil, and U.V. damage and extending the runway's overall life.

Davids, who serves on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, previously visited the New Century Shortline Railroad, which offers last-mile transportation for goods coming from around the country, to discuss federal efforts to improve domestic supply chains and lower costs for Kansans. The railroad provides rail switching services within the New Century business park to deliver goods to around 60 multinational companies and the AirCenter.

Davids voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which is implementing the most comprehensive and holistic approachto improving U.S. airways. The law is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings and has been calledthe most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In total, Kansas has received approximately $28.8 million in 2022 and 2023 for airports from the bipartisan infrastructure law.