Cherry Capital Airport unveiled a nearly $14 million renovation of its east-west runway at a ribbon cutting ceremony this week attended by local business and community leaders and state representatives.

The runway was completely repaved and extended by 115 feet to bring its total length to 7,015 feet. The extension will allow airlines to accommodate more passengers in the summer, who were previously being bumped to lessen the cargo load in planes so that the aircraft could achieve lift on the shorter runway in the thinner hot air.

While the project has been in motion for four years, the actual repaving and extension work began late this summer and early fall, requiring the airport to rely solely on its north-south runway for a few weeks. The new runway is now back open and operational. Cherry Capital Airport received a $6.1 million Federal Aviation Administration grant to help pay for the project.

Photo credit: Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce