Millions of dollars in projects finished in Columbia in 2021; COU terminal project to finish this year

Columbia city staff members are touting the successful completion of numerous key projects in fiscal year 2021, including the major Nifong project and the $9 million runway extension at Columbia Regional Airport (COU).

The Nifong project involves numerous overlay, sidewalk and island improvements between Providence and Forum.

The COU runway project extends COU’s runway from 6,500 to 7,400 feet, allowing larger planes to use the runway and providing a longer distance for planes to land and take off during inclement weather.

Columbia officials also say the $23 million new terminal project at COU is expected to be done this year. The new COU terminal will be 52,000 square feet, compared to the current 16,000 square feet facility.

The city council was briefed on the projects this week, during a meeting.