Cassville Airport Runway Reconstruction

Project Overview

The Cassville Municipal Airport, located in Cassville, Missouri, is a small public airport owned and operated by the City of Cassville. Originally opened in the 1970s, the airport supports local air traffic and tourism throughout Barry County and the surrounding region. Its sole runway, measuring 3,599 feet long by 60 feet wide, is essential to maintaining the airport’s connection to the community.

After decades of use and deterioration, the runway required a full reconstruction to provide a safer, more durable surface and extend its service life for generations to come. With only one runway, the airport remained closed throughout construction, making schedule and execution critical to returning this essential community asset to service.

ESS served as the general contractor, completing 21,630 cubic yards of grading and excavation, 23,496 linear feet of underground utility installation, 28,524 square yards of concrete paving, and materials testing. The reconstructed runway was completed in September 2026 and meets current FAA standards, providing an anticipated 100-year service life.

The project presented unique challenges from the start. Despite the area’s high chert content, crews encountered unexpectedly soft, wet subgrade conditions beneath the existing runway. Unstable soils also created challenges during pavement demolition and site grading, requiring the team to adapt construction methods while maintaining the project’s stringent FAA requirements.

Through careful coordination, field expertise, and a focus on maintaining progress, the ESS team successfully navigated these conditions and delivered the reconstructed runway on schedule. With construction complete, Cassville Municipal Airport has reopened to the public with a modernized runway built to support the community’s aviation needs for decades to come.