MAPLE — Currituck will be starting some major construction projects this fall as the county’s Small Area Plan for the Maple-Barco area begins to materialize. One of them is a $2.4 million upgrade at Currituck Regional Airport.

For years, the county has been saving up federal and state grants to pay for a new taxiway that will parallel the runway at its northern end.

The 35-foot taxiway will improve the flow of take-offs and landings on the runway. Currently, aircraft have to taxi part way down the runway before turning around and preparing for take-off. The new taxiway will allow aircraft to turn onto the runway at its northern end, reducing traffic on the runway and eliminating the need for aircraft to turn around before taking off.

In addition to the new taxiway, improvements for the airport include apron repairs and repaving around the terminal building. The target date for bids on the project is Sept. 29. Construction could begin about nine months later.

The upgrade will be funded with accumulated grants from the N.C. Division of Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration, along with approximately 10 percent matching funds from the county.

The Airport Master Plan calls for the taxiway to eventually extend to the southern end of the runway, starting near the terminal building and extending toward U.S. Highway 158. That project, which would include expanding the airport’s parameters and relocating some buildings — including the Currituck Animal Shelter — will be more costly. No funding is currently available.

“We’re not getting the big block grants were getting. I don’t know when funds would be available (for the taxiway at the runway’s southern end),” says County Engineer Eric Weatherly.

Future plans for the airport call for adding more hangars and extending the runway from 5,500 feet to 6,000 feet.

Currently 37 aircraft are stationed at the airport’s three hangar buildings and tie-down areas. In addition, many aircraft stop to refuel on their way to other destinations. For aircraft traveling from New York and New Jersey to Florida, the Currituck airport is a good halfway point, says Airport Manager Roger Lambertson. In addition, the Navy uses the airport for touch-and-go practice.

The airport dates back to World War II when it was built as an emergency landing strip for airplanes flying into Norfolk, Va. In later years, Currituck County took over operations. In 2003, a new terminal building was constructed with grant money and around 2005, the runway was lengthened from 4,000 feet to 5,500 feet.

The county has plans to develop a nearby commercial park in hopes of attracting aviation-related businesses to Currituck.