Cassville Airport Runway Reconstruction

Project Overview

The Cassville Municipal Airport, located in Cassville, Missouri, serves as a small public airport operated and owned by the city of Cassville. Originally opened in the 1970s, the airport serves the Barry County community by supporting local air traffic and tourism in the region. The airport features a single runway, measuring 3,599 feet long by 60 feet wide. To ensure the airport can continue serving the region for decades to come, its sole runway is undergoing a full reconstruction.

While some preservation efforts had been performed over the years, the existing pavement was in poor condition, having cracked and deteriorated over time. As the airport relies on one runway, it has been temporarily closed for the duration of the project. This makes staying on schedule a top priority in returning the airport to full service.

ESS was selected as the general contractor and is tasked with 21,630 cubic yards of grading and excavation, 23,496 linear feet in underground utility installation, 28,524 square yards of concrete paving, and materials testing. Once complete, the new runway will provide a safer, more durable surface that meets current FAA standards and extends the runway’s service life by an additional 100 years.

One of the project’s most significant challenges has been working with the existing runway conditions. The runway subgrade was soft and wet, which is uncommon for an area known for its high chert content. The crews also worked with unstable soil while demolishing the existing pavement and grading the site. Despite these challenges, the ESS team ensured all work met FAA standards.

The team is targeting completion in the fall of 2026, allowing the airport to reopen to the public and become fully functional. Once completed, this project will deliver a modernized runway and reopen an essential airport to the Cassville community and surrounding areas.