Assembly Accepts Grant for Talkeetna Airstrip Revetment Repairs

Disaster funding from the State of Alaska will help make repairs to the flood-damaged revetment at the Talkeetna Village Airstrip. The Airstrip is managed by the Talkeetna Airmen’s Association.

Association President and local pilot Joe McAneney says the goal is to protect the Airstrip’s surrounding land from erosion, which so far has not affected operations at the historic site. 

At the Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting this week, an agreement solidified the transfer of more than $560,000 in State disaster funding from the Association to the Borough. Borough Engineer Mike Campfield says that amount is based on repairs needed after last year’s flooding. 

Since then, the revetment has further eroded. Campfield estimates that funding is not likely to be enough, but is waiting for the survey work to be complete to better estimate the total cost for repairs. However, Campfield says a disaster declaration made in July will lead to some additional funds to help cover those costs. 

About 400 feet of revetment needs repair. Campfield says the design will be done in-house. He estimates that the process of survey, design, and permitting will take a few months to complete. Construction may begin at the Village Airstrip as early as November.