NEW ULM – The New Ulm City Council approved $245,448 task order to the city’s professional service contract with Mead & Hunt for further airport engineering services.

The task order covers construction administrative services for the construction of the turf crosswind runway at the airport. The city previously approved an airport capital improvement plan that included the new crosswind runway. The airport’s current turf crosswind runway was recommended to be decommissioned and relocated on an east-west alignment.

Relocation of the turf crosswind runway is necessary to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) airport zoning standards. The project will involve designing a new turf aggregate runway, grading and drainage improvements, landscaping, site restoration, and airfield lighting and signage modifications.

In March 2024, the United States Congress directed $2.5 million in funding to the City of New Ulm for the crosswind runway project through an FAA grant. The funds must be used by Sept. 30, 2026.

The council unanimously approved the $245,448 task order, contingent on New Ulm receiving the FAA grant for the engineering services.