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(OTTUMWA, Iowa) - A major runway improvement project is underway at the Ottumwa Regional Airport.  Due to work on the project, the Airport will be will be closed to all air traffic on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and Wednesday, Aug. 5.   In addition, the Airport will be closed the week of Aug. 24 for construction.   Ottumwa Flying Service offices will remain open for aircraft maintenance work during the closures.

The $3.7 million project focuses on rehabilitation and extension of Runway 4/22 and parallel taxiway improvements.  As part of the project, Runway 4/22 will be extended north, while the southern end of the runway will be abandoned.  This change is being made to keep the runway the required distance from bird interference from the Ottumwa/Wapello Landfill.  Once complete, the Landfill will be able to add an additional northern cell to extend the life of the facility, saving Wapello and Davis County residents millions of dollars in landfill development costs.    Ninety five percent of the project’s cost is being funded by a FAA grant.