Fremont County Airport Manager Dick Baker (far left) is pictured with officials from Rocky Mountain Materials and Asphalt at the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association Annual Banquet in Denver last week. Company officials pictured include (left to right) Vice Presidents Rob Mangone & Eric Bogren, and Asphalt Supt. Jason Dody
The project to pave a full length parallel taxiway at the Fremont County Airport has earned Fremont County and Rocky Mountain Materials a first place asphalt award from an industry group. The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association presented its “Best in Colorado Airport” award Wednesday night (February 25) to Fremont County Airport Manager Richard Baker and Rocky Mountain and Materials Vice Presidents Rob Mangone and Eric Bogren. The presentation was made at the 21st Annual “Best in Colorado” Asphalt Pavement Awards dinner in Denver.
Rocky Mountain Materials and Asphalt was the contractor on the $1.8 million project which started in late 2013 to pave a 4,800 foot full length parallel taxiway at the Fremont County Airport. Prior to completion of the parallel taxiway, aircraft were forced to back-taxi for takeoff and landing. The project was designated as an airport safety improvement project by the Federal Aviation Administration which provided 95% of the funding for the project. The Colorado Board of Aeronautics provided $45,000 from the Colorado Discretionary Aviation Grant program along with $45,000 in funding from Fremont County.
The taxiway project was particularly important to improve safety and efficiency during the busy wildfire season when single engine air tankers are taking off and landing at the airport.