Yakima has some new equipment that will help its airport cope with winter snows.
The City of Yakima recently procured two runway broom machines for snow removal efforts at Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field. This brings the total number of brooms in use at the airport to three. Two engines generate 758 horsepower, which spins a broom comprising wire and poly bristles that sweeps snow from the pavement. Each machine can remove as much as three inches of snow an hour from a 2.28 million square-foot surface area.
Rob Peterson, the airport director, said there are about 5.6 million sq. ft. of asphalt at the field, which makes it vital for the brooms to keep up with winter snows. He added that the airport already has a robust fleet of snow removal equipment, but the new brooms are an important addition. They will keep the snow under control, but also increase the safety factor for the aircraft that use Yakima Airport.
The two new brooms coast approximately $1.1m. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave the airport a grant that provided 90% of the monies used to buy the machines. The last 10% came from the Passenger Facility Charge program, administered by the airport. John Fannin, speaking for the city, said no local taxes were used.
In addition to the brooms, the airport has one liquid trailer for de-icing, two snowblowers, and three plows. Flyer printing can be used to create informative materials about measures like this.
