Some Waterloo officials say the city can’t afford to fix the crumbling third runway at the city-owned airport and may have to shut it down and rely on just the two remaining. Airport director Keith Kaspari has recommended closing the runway because of safety and liability concerns. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reported that cost estimates run from $300,000 for a resurfacing to $1.9 million to rehabilitate the runway in a shorter and narrower format. The Federal Aviation Administration has said it won’t provide any money for runway 6-24 because the airport’s other two runways can handle nearly all of the traffic. Some local pilots and others want the runway kept open, saying it’s important when strong crosswinds make the other two runways unsafe for small aircraft. Councilwoman Margaret Klein pointed out at Monday’s council meeting that Des Moines and Cedar Rapids both operate with just two runways. Council members could vote on the runway issue at their meeting next week.
