Southern Indiana airport closing runway for sinkhole repair

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The main runway of a southern Indiana airport is being closed so that crews can make long-term repairs for sinkholes near it.

Monroe County Airport manager Bruce Payton says a contractor is expected to move in construction equipment and start work this week on the nearly $11 million project.

The runway at the airport near Bloomington is expected to be closed for two months. Payton tells The Herald-Times that that closure will unfortunately cause disruptions for airport users, but will also provide a chance to resurface the runway.

The sinkholes were filled with concrete soon after they were discovered in 2011. This project involves removing soil to the bedrock and refilling the area with stone and other materials.

A smaller runway will remain open during the work.