By extending Auburn Municipal Airport’s runway from 3,400 to 3,841 lineal feet, the city hopes to make it safer, better able to handle today’s and tomorrow’s multi-engine piston aircraft at their goings up and their comings down.

And by so doing, make the airport more profitable.

On Monday, the Auburn City Council awarded the $2.8 million runway construction contract to Pivetta Brothers Construction of Sumner, whose winning bid was the lowest of eight the city got back and opened on Aug. 1.

City officials expect that construction, which will also realize a new underground storm water detention facility at the airport’s south end, should start in April 2020 and wrap by July 2020.

The City received notice of a $2.8 million federal construction grant award on Sept. 27.

In 2019, it applied for but did not receive a Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation construction grant that would have covered 5 percent of the construction cost.

The state notified the city at the same time, however, that it was welcome to re-apply for the grant next spring.

If the city is again unsuccessful in getting that particular grant, Public Works Director Ingrid Gaub said, it will draw the money from its own airport fund.