Port signs contractor for for airport paving project

HLT Construction was the low bidder to pave over the runway apron at the Port of Whitman County’s airport outside of Colfax.

HLT quoted a price of $531,935.50 on the project, to top bids from Western Construction of Spokane, $575,238.75, and Half Moon Construction of Spokane, $597,058.

The project will create a layer of pavement in front of and between hangars up and down the airport. In addition, there will be nine new, paved public tie-down areas instead of the three current tie-downs that are on gravel lots.

Debbie Snell, port properties and development manager, said they expect work to begin around the end of August. Start time depends on the need for the spray pilots at the airport to get to the runway.

A grant from the Federal Aviation Administration will pay 90 percent of the project, with a combination of funds from the Washington State Department of Transportation and the port covering the remainder.

Bids were opened last Friday, July 20. Port commissioners gave the agency’s staff the authority to negotiate final contracts at their regular meeting July 19.