Reconstruct runway lighting; install airfield guidance signage; reconstruct runway visual guidance system; rehabilitate runway

The City of Kelso received a Formula Grant award of $1,520,230.53 on September 18, 2025, from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Airport Improvement Program (CFDA 20.106), which includes Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs and COVID-19 Airports Programs funding. This Phase 1 design-phase award funds critical runway infrastructure improvements at Southwest Washington Regional Airport in Kelso, Washington. The project scope encompasses the reconstruction of medium-intensity Runway 12/30 (future designation 13/31) lighting systems; installation of 15 new airfield guidance signages to achieve conformity with current Federal Aviation Administration standards; reconstruction of precision approach path indicator systems at both runway thresholds; reconstruction of runway end identifier lights systems at both runway thresholds; and rehabilitation of 4,391 feet of existing paved runway surface to maintain structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris. All lighting and guidance systems have reached the end of their useful lives and require replacement.

The grant is structured with an ultimate completion date of September 17, 2029, accommodating the extended timeline typical of airport infrastructure projects that progress through design, environmental review, and construction phases. The City of Kelso serves as the prime grantee and fiscal agent, channeling federal funding to Southwest WA Regional Airport-Kelso as the implementing sub-grantee. Concurrent sub-awards to the airport include a runway reconstruction sub-award dated February 9, 2026, and a runway rehabilitation sub-award dated November 26, 2025, indicating a coordinated multi-phase approach to modernizing the airport's critical runway infrastructure and ensuring safe, efficient operations for the regional aviation system.

Activities and expected outcomes

This project installs 15 new airfield signages to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This project reconstructs existing medium intensity runway 12/30 (future designation 13/31) lighting that has reached the end of its useful life. This project reconstructs the precision approach path indicator system for runway 12/30 (future designation 13/31), at both runway thresholds, that have reached the end of their useful lives. This project reconstructs the runway end identifier lights system for runway 12/30 (future designation 13/31), at both runway thresholds, that have reached the end of their useful lives. This project rehabilitates 4,391 feet of existing paved runway 12/30 (future designation 13/31) to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life. This grant funds phase 1, which consists of design. Intended beneficiary: this grant will provide federal funding for airports associated with kelso, washington.