Newton Awarded a Department of Transportation Grant to Help Fund Airport Apron Expansion

The Iowa Department of Transportation has awarded a grant to help fund expansion of the apron at the Newton Municipal Airport. Newton Community Development Director Erin Chambers says the apron expansion to the southeast is needed to accommodate high-traffic at the airport on race weekends at Iowa Speedway. Newton Municipal Airport Manager and co-owner of Johnson Aviation Ethan Nasselroad says 50-to-60 aircraft fly-in during a typical race weekend.

But currently, the apron only holds about 20 planes. “So we had to use some unusual parking areas. Should there ever be a delay of a race or a carry-over into the next day, we could be looking at trying to fit 60 airplanes onto a 20 spot space.



” The apron expansion is scheduled to be under construction from late summer to fall of next year. The grant will pay for 85 percent of the cost, up to $340,000. The City’s required match is a maximum $60,000.

Federal funds will also be used on the project..