Today, dignitaries from various levels of government as well as community members gathered to celebrate the completion of Johnson County Executive Airport’s rebuilt Taxiway Bravo, paid for 100% by federal funds.

This taxiway is the final of three major pavement reconstruction projects partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, due to the previous infrastructure surpassing its expected service life.

“Collaboration between local and federal jurisdictions was key in making some major improvements to the Johnson County Executive Airport, one of the most highly-used airports in Kansas,” said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly. “This airport supports several types of general aviation activity including flight training, corporate business travel and emergency medical transport. It plays an important role in creating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars as a part of the state’s total annual economic benefits from aviation, and we appreciate the federal government’s assistance in making these much-needed upgrades.”

Johnson County received a $5.6 million Airport Improvement Program grant from the FAA for the complete rebuild of Taxiway Bravo. Construction began in May 2022. Taxiway Bravo was designed by Burns & McDonnell and constructed by Emery Sapp & Sons.

“The project improved the layout of our taxiway system, eliminating connector Taxiway Echo and realigning Taxiways Charlie and Delta,” said Johnson County Airport Commission Chairman Brad Weisenburger. “In addition, 100% new LED lighting was installed along with a new regulator. This will greatly reduce maintenance and cost of usage.”

Taxiway Bravo is the last of three taxiways or runways to be fully reconstructed over the past five years as part of the partnership with the FAA. The first two were the main runway, 18-36 ($5.6 million) and Taxiway Alpha ($4.2 million), which was fully funded by the FAA.

As far as other or upcoming projects at Johnson County Executive Airport, Taxiway Hotel has been rehabilitated in asphalt, and Taxiway Foxtrot is scheduled for an asphalt mill and overlay in August 2023.

Background Information

Johnson County Executive Airport was constructed in the early 1940s as a Naval auxiliary field during World War II in support of the Olathe Naval Air Station, which is now New Century AirCenter. The airport was deeded to the City of Olathe in 1951, and from the city to Johnson County in 1967. At that time, the Board of County Commissioners created the Johnson County Airport Commission to manage, operate and improve the airport.

In 2022, Johnson County Executive Airport and New Century AirCenter had more than 122,370 takeoffs and landings, making the Johnson County facilities the busiest airport system in the state of Kansas by more than 11.8%.

Find additional details on the Johnson County Executive Airport webpage.