The Santa Barbara City Council will consider giving its public works department the authority to OK more than $14 million in contracts for the work – the bulk of which would be paid for through grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. The city would contribute only 5 percent of the costs, or about $727,453.

“It’s in the city’s interest to approve this project,” said Leif Reynolds, a city project engineer.

The runway work is the second phase of an Aviation Facilities Plan approved by the council four years ago. The first part of that plan, completed in 2006, involved construction of a new taxiway to reduce the risk of runway accidents, and the relocation of Tecolotito and Carneros creeks.

The realignment work involves moving the northern portion of Taxiway B to better align with the southern portion of the runway. Two aircraft holding areas also would be relocated to accommodate the work.

When the work is complete, the airport’s 6,052-foot main runway would be moved 800 feet to the west, and the easterly runway would end 800 feet to the west.

The jag in the runway that needs fixing was built by the military several years ago, Reynolds said.  Work is expected to begin in late April, and would likely be completed in the fall, city officials said.

The work would take place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to reduce the impact on flights.

The City Council will consider authorizing construction bids to Granite Construction for the bulk of the work. If grants from the federal government fail to come through, the work would likely be put on hold, city officials said.

The council meets at 2 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. For a complete staff report, visit
www.santabarbara.ca.gov.

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