Town of Westport

PROJECT PURPOSE

Westport Airport (4F1) is an FAA-listed, public-use airport located in the Town of Westport, which is the most valuable asset owned by the town. The airport serves a critical role in emergency services within the area and has served as a landing surface for air ambulance helicopters and law enforcement fixed-wing operations due to the proximity to U.S. HWY 412. Since the Town of Westport is relatively distant from area hospitals, continuation of these airport services is essential for our community. Additionally, Westport Airport serves a vital role in flight training for the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma State University training flights, and the Oklahoma Air National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, to name a few. However, the Westport Airport has serious infrastructure problems, which threaten the future of the airport and the continued utilization of the runway as there is major sloping on the east side of the runway that washes out with time and seasonal rains. As a result, the erosion continues, unabated, toward the edge of the runway. Completion of the proposed project would install 270LF of approximately 12? high Versa-Lok as a retaining wall to prevent further erosion.

EVIDENCE

A representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Oklahoma, Pawnee County Field Service Center was consulted and came out to evaluate the hillside on February 7, 2022. His recommendation stating the only way to adequately control the erosion was to create a retaining wall. Subsequently, a bid was obtained from Real Okie Outdoor Living dated March 22, 2022 to create the retaining wall in the amount of $113,500.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all fundraising efforts associated with Westport Airport have been curtailed over the last couple of years. Historically, Westport Airport (public) has primarily been supported through private donations, which has helped to sustain the airport with routine maintenance as the Town has limited financial resources. As a result, and due to the economic magnitude of the proposed solution, financial support from outside resources will be essential to ensure the long-term viability of the airport and continued support for emergency services to the community as well as local flight training programs as the demand for growth in aviation increases in the coming years.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The goal of the proposed solution is to stop further erosion of the hillside. Upon installation of the retaining wall, the airport in coordination with the structural engineer will determine the baseline grade of the slope. During regular intervals in compliance with the required reporting, the airport will monitor and measure the grade of the slope for stability, improvement over time.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma