RICHLAND, Wash. – The Richland Airport has received a federal grant to improve its runway. Richland Airport Manager Quentin Wright said the Port of Benton received a one-million-dollar grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to reseal cracks on the 8,010-foot runway.
The Washington Department of Transportation and the Port of Benton also added funds for the repairs. This project will contribute to much-needed upgrades at an important airport. The project is scheduled to start in August and end in September.
“A lot of things happen at the Richland Airport,” said Wright. “We have firefighting operations during the summer time. We have air medical operations here.”
The last time the airport had any upgrades was in 2016.
This is the first year the Department of Natural Resources has been stationed at the Richland airport. Matt Dale, the DNR’s Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, told KNDU that the smaller airport contributes to their success.
“It’s pretty important because it’s an uncontrolled airport. So we don’t have to ask the tower for clearance,” said Dale. After receiving a call, the fire crew takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get in the air.
