Rostraver helipad, Arnold Palmer hangar prep get grant assist

A helipad at Rostraver Airport and hangar and apron projects at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport received a boost this week through state aviation grants.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced approval of a $375,000 grant for improvements at Rostraver Airport, including development of a helipad.

According to Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo, an additional $1.5 million in funding is slated for two efforts at Arnold Palmer Regional — work to reinforce the runway apron and design of extended infrastructure that would pave the way for potential expansion of corporate hangars.

The grants are meant to cover 75 percent of costs, with the authority covering the rest, he said.

The Rostraver helipad will help relieve congestion related to helicopter traffic at the airport, Monzo said. “We’ve had two companies providing service,” he said. “It will ease up congestion on the taxiways.”

The Rostraver grant also will fund repairs to the airport access road and drainage and containment improvements to the facility’s fuel storage area.

Monzo said the authority intends to use some of the Arnold Palmer aviation funding to strengthen the airport apron.

Concrete pads will help reinforce paved surfaces that are under the weight of larger planes now used for flights at the airport. The pavement otherwise could become rutted when planes brake to a stop on the asphalt.

Some of the money also will help design expansion of infrastructure for potential new hangars at the airport.

Monzo couldn’t say how much hangar space might be added. “There is a demand for it,” he said. “We’re always trying to get grant money to expand the facilities.

“This is site preparation. We want to make sure sewage, water and gas is available.”

He wasn’t sure how the money will be split between the Arnold Palmer projects, noting the bidding process is pending for both.