Activity at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport is about to get very busy in about four weeks.
“At the beginning of March, we’re starting a total rebuild of the runway,” said Steve Smith, executive director of McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport, “The rebuild will be about 6,000 feet. The existing runway is at the end of its useful life, which is close to 38 years.”
Ford Construction Company of Dyersburg is the lead contractor after submitting the low bid of $28 million.
The project includes the runway, new markings and paint, LED runway lighting, newly graded safety areas, new runway and taxiway signage and new precision approach-path indicator lights.
The beginning of a new vision for the airport also includes a terminal rehabilitation plan which includes a new terminal area with new hangars, and a new automobile parking lot with electric charging stations.
In April 2023, the Associate Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Airports informed Smith a $500,000 grant for McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport was approved, which will be used for the renovation of the control tower – equipment and facilities.
Also, after a 14-year pause, the Transportation Security Administration returned to McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport to serve the citizens of Jackson, Madison County and all of West Tennessee in September 2022.
The TSA had been working very closely with the Jackson-Madison County Airport Authority, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Jackson Police Department, and local constables to develop plans and programs to ensure the safety and security of passengers traveling through McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport.
These procedures and policies are no different than any of the other 400 plus airports the TSA serves across the country.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Homeland Security have an area designated for pre-TSA screening for passengers flying Southern Airways Express LLC, which provides Essential Air Service (EAS) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
After arriving at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport, passengers go through pre-TSA screening, pull into the main terminal at the airport, which is the connector, go into the terminal and not have to go through screening again.
(PHOTO: Portion of runway at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport)
