WINTER HAVEN, FL — During Monday’s Winter Haven City Commission meeting on October 12, commissioners moved forward with two major infrastructure improvement projects at Winter Haven Regional Airport, representing a combined investment of approximately $4.77 million.
The larger project involves a $4,489,228 rehabilitation of approximately 9,800 linear feet of taxilanes serving aircraft hangars in the southern portion of the airport.
According to city documents, the pavement has significantly deteriorated due to age, heavy use, and environmental exposure. The Florida Department of Transportation assigned the taxilanes a Pavement Condition Index rating of 49, classified as poor.
The project will address deteriorating pavement, structural deficiencies, and drainage issues while improving aircraft access to hangars.
The Federal Aviation Administration will provide 95% of the project’s funding, approximately $4.26 million, while the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of Winter Haven will each contribute approximately $112,230.
Commissioners also approved a $235,977.97 contract with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, LLC, to prepare construction plans and help select a contractor. Planning is expected to continue through May 2027, with construction anticipated at a later date.
The second project involves a $285,385 replacement of aging runway approach lighting equipment on Runway 5/23.
City officials reported that ongoing maintenance issues prompted the airport to accelerate the replacement, originally scheduled for 2028. The upgraded system will feature modern LED lighting designed to help pilots maintain safe approach angles during landing.
The Florida Department of Transportation will fund 80% of the lighting project, approximately $228,308, while the city will contribute $57,077.
Commissioners also approved an $82,654 engineering contract with Hanson Professional Services, Inc., for the runway lighting replacement project during Monday’s meeting.
Together, the projects represent $4,774,613 in planned airport infrastructure improvements, with federal and state funding covering the majority of the investment.
SOURCE: CITY DOCUMENTS, WH CITY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
