Abbeville receives grant for airport

Abbeville is home to one of the busiest airports in the state.
Around 150 planes and helicopters touch down at the Chris Crusta Memorial Airport each day.
“That puts us around the top five for the state,” Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said.
City officials want to maintain that number, as well as to see it grow. A recent grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will help.
The city received a $600,000 grant. The funds will back a project to realign the taxiway at the airport. The taxiway runs parallel to the runway.
“This was in our five-year, long-term plan for the airport,” Piazza said. “We’ve been working on this grant for probably three years now.”
The taxiway, which is on the west side of the runway, currently curves, creating a dogleg. That will be straightened, remaining parallel with the runway. Along with being realigned, the taxiway will be resurfaced. It is the lane utilized prior to aircraft getting on the runway.
“The purpose is to improve the approach zones for the runway,” Piazza said, “by lowering the weather minimums. Fix-winged aircraft will be able to better navigate the airport.”
Mike Mouton, who serves as the safety director at the airport, used an example.
“This will establish a bigger safety zone for aircraft flying into Abbeville, by the taxiway out of the approach zone of the runway,” said Mouton.
This adds economic value for the city, too.
“Any improvements to the airport are of substantial economic value to the city,” Piazza said. “We take great pride in our airport.”
The facility is well utilized. Commercial and recreational planes and helicopters touch down and leave each day. The average count is around 150 per day.
“The traffic count at the airport continues to increase,” Piazza said. “We rated as one of the busiest in the state. Not just busiest for our size. We are about the top five for airports in the state. That is a good, good sign.
“It is a valuable piece to the city’s infrastructure, there is no question.