What's Happening in Winston-Salem, NC…

Improvements to the airport paving at Winston-Salem's Smith Reynolds Airport should begin shortly, it has been confirmed this month.

The paving, which is estimated to cost approximately $2.5m is being worked upon by Thompson-Arthur, a division of APAC-Atlantic, Inc.

According to Mark Davidson, the airport's director, the project is slated to include strengthening a part of Runway 4/22 that gives access to the field's largest hangar. The hangar is home to North State Aviation, a company that repairs and maintains aircraft. North State first began operations in 2011, when it had 30 employees; it now employs 300 people.

Davidson noted the paving improvements will make it possible for larger aircraft, such as Boeing's 737s and 757s, to taxi directly to the hangar via the runway. The repairs will also benefit lighter, smaller planes, such as those belonging to the flight school.

The contract with APAC is for $2.47m, but Davidson said the project's total cost is more likely to be approximately $2.65m. This figure includes the administration and inspection of the construction work, which will be carried out by AVCON, the project's designer.

Davidson also said the work is being completed in stages, so it will not disrupt the Winston-Salem Air Show, currently slated for September 13 and 14. Completion of the entire project is projected to be late October.

Airport officials could work with brochure printers to create a booklet for distribution to airlines, explaining how the work will improve access to the repair facility and inviting them to consider gate space at the airport.