Several upgrades to the Chilton County Airport are underway as projects started in March for the growth of the airport.

Chilton County Airport Authority board member Billy Singleton said on Thursday that roughly three acres of trees were cleared in mid-March as part of an effort to extend the airport’s runway.

“The trees are down and for the first time in more than 20 years we will have full use of the runway,” Singleton said.

Singleton explained that several projects covered under a $1.8 million grant awarded in September 2013 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) were postponed until spring 2014.

“We decided to hold off on some of the projects like the clearing of the trees and the resurfacing of the runway because we didn’t want to have to deal with weather issues such as cool temperatures,” Singleton said. “That is turning out to be one of the best decisions we have made.”

Singleton said the projects at the airport including resurfacing, remarking and replacing light fixtures on the runway should begin April 7.

“Before we could do these things we had to get the trees out of the way,” Singleton said. “Now that we have those down, we will begin work on the runway as well as work to clean up the parcels of property we acquired.”

In the meantime, Singleton said different agencies including the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department, Clanton Fire Department and others have utilized the vacant homes along Alabama Highway 145 for training purposes.

“The homes have been used before we tear them down,” Singleton said. “Everything we do we are trying to do in the manner that benefits Chilton County.”

Singleton said the airport is anticipating between $1.4 and $1.8 million in grants for 2014.

Singleton said the lighting system at the airport was more than 50 years old, and the new lighting system will save the airport roughly 85 percent in electrical costs due to a more modern system.

“With the new lighting system, we will be able to turn the runway lights off when they are not in use,” Singleton said.

Although Singleton said some of the projects happening at the airport will more than likely not look different to the general public, the airport will continue to develop.

“We want the community to be involved and be as proud of the what is going on at the airport as we are,” Singleton said. “We have everything in our favor, and we just have to take advantage of that.”

Singleton said a sign has been placed along Alabama Highway 145 with the words “Chilton County Airport Growth for Chilton County” letting people know of the improvements that are happening.

“We wanted to explain that what people were seeing adjacent to the sign are some of the improvements,” Singleton said. “It is an exciting time for us and having the community’s support is vital.”