TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Taxiway Charlie reopens at San Marcos Regional Airport
COMPILED BY ERIC WEILBACHER
COMPLETED PROJECTS
A ribbon-cutting was held for the completion of the full reconstruction and repaving of Taxiway Charlie at the San Marcos Regional Airport on July 28. Tra c at the airport includes a mix of student pilot training, cargo shipments and private ights. The gist: While the runways for lifto s and landings have been improved over the years, the reconstruction of the taxiways is part of an e ort to replace World War II-era concrete along the taxiways and ramps. The backstory: The city of San Mar- cos took over Gary Air Field, a World War II Army Air Corps training base, in 1966. The airport—which serves as a reliever airport for Austin-Berg- strom International Airport and the San Antonio International Airport as designated by the Federal Aviation Administration—is also used for a variety of freight and transporta- tion purposes and has seen record ights this year, according to Texas Aviation Partners, the group that operates the airport. Texas Aviation Partners was selected to oversee airport operations by the city in 2010. The breakdown: The improvements come at a time the airport is reporting heavier tra c. Through July of this year, 57,596 operations were recorded at the airport, said Cassidy Berenato, vice president of Texas Aviation Partners. Operations ticked up signicantly in recent years from 63,955 in 2019 to 91,852 in 2022, a 43.62% increase.
The new Route 1 service began in July.
COURTESY CITY OF SAN MARCOS
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF AUG. 3. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT SBKNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. the 30-minute frequency but shift to 60 minutes when they break o to service the two separate routes, according to the city. All SMTX The Bus routes operate Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. and operate fare free. World Drive, which will have stops between Lowe’s Home Improvement and the Christus Santa Rosa-San Marcos campus occurring on one-hour intervals, according to the city. Stops that both routes share will keep Route 1 for public bus expands reach The city of San Marcos Public Works Department in collaboration with Cap- ital Area Rural Transportation Systems expanded SMTX The Bus Route 1 reach to include service to the Village Main of San Marcos, located at 215 S. Reimer Ave. The new service began July 10. This new bus service expands access to public services located along the route, including o ces located at the Village Main of San Marcos, such as the San Marcos Women, Infants and Children o ces along with Any Baby Can. Route 1 was split in this area into Route 1V—which will reach to Village Main and Texas State University’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Park on one-hour intervals—and Route 1W along Wonder
San Marcos city sta , council members and others celebrated the new taxiway July 28.
FLIGHTS TAKE OFF Since 2019, ights in and out of the San Marcos Regional Airport have increased signi cantly. 2023 is on track to possibly
“As you can see, so far this year we have broken records every month— despite this outrageous heat,” Berenato said. “Per the tower, we’re on track to reach 95,000 takeo s and landings this year, but I have my ngers crossed for 100,000.” The takeaway: Other improve- ments include new signage, markings and LED lighting system to improve visibility for pilots. Funding came from the Federal Avi- ation Administration through a grant awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation, along with a supple- mental allocation from the city of San Marcos from its general fund. The city’s contribution of $539,273 brought the total funding to $5.39 million. Taxiway Alpha reconstruction is expected to begin later this year, and its cost will be roughly split with 90% federal funding and 10% city funding, as was the case with Taxiway Charlie, according to the city. “We anticipate Taxiway Alpha
surpass 100,000 ights. Annual ight operations
*AS OF JULY 2019 63,955 2020 78,010 2021 82,368 2022 91,852 2023 57,596*
SOURCE: SAN MARCOS REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMUNITY IMPACT
will follow the same general time- line depending on when [the] FAA releases the funding—it could begin earlier,” Berenato said. “So it would be safe to say late 2023 or early 2024.” Timeline: January-July 2023 Cost: $5.39 million Funding Source: FAA, city of San Marcos
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SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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