New taxiway open at county airport

A portion of the new taxiway at the Putnam County Airport was officially opened at 2 p.m. Sept. 7.

The first aircraft to use it was a Diamond DA20 "Eclipse" owned by Dixie Chopper founder Art Evans and piloted by Airport Manager John Layne.

Along for a ride was Final Approach Restaurant patron, Donna Harcourt of Fillmore. The new taxiway which was funded by the FAA along with funds from the state and county enhances the safety of the airport by allowing aircraft to get from one end of the runway to the other, off of the active runway.

The portion just opened extends from the center point of the runway to the southern most point. The remainder has had all of the grading completed and the sub base stone applied.

The asphalt should be laid next week and the electrical work will follow. The project has been ongoing for the past four years and will be finished sometime in late October.