MONROE — The Monroe Municipal Airport has spent the last two months undergoing runway changes. 

The project, which is a total resurfacing of the airport’s 5,000-foot runway, was initially petitioned to the state three years ago and was given the green light in the spring of 2020. 

It will have a total expected cost between $2.4 and $2.8 million, funded 80% by the federal government, 15% by the state and 5% by the airport itself, putting the airport’s out of pocket cost for the project at about $160,000. 

Finances to cover the remaining cost will come from the airport’s yearly $125,000 given by the state, as well as from the airport’s general fund.

“It’s a pretty major project for us, a needed project,” said Airport Director Rob Driver, who noted that the prior conditions of the 35-year-old runway were rough enough to discourage some of the usual jet traffic.

Set to be completed and fully operational by the end of August, the project started June 1 with a 60 work day window, putting the final finishing date no later than Aug. 29.

— Shannon Rabotski