Erosion concerns are increasing cost of Columbia Regional Airport’s runway project

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has agreed to reimburse Columbia 90 percent of the $64,000 cost for additional erosion control measures around Columbia Regional Airport’s (COU) runway extension project.

The city council has first-read a bill approving the change order: Columbia’s share of the project is about $6,000 and would come from transportation sales tax revenue.

Columbia’s city council is expected to vote on the proposal at the next meeting in August.