Bowerman Airport will be closed for two months for an extensive drainage project, according to the Port of Grays Harbor.

The closure runs July 8-Sept. 4 and includes the runway, main taxiway, fuel island and apron.

“We apologize in advance for any inconvenience the closure may cause to our aviation community, both locally and beyond,” stated Business and Trade Development Assistant Shannon Anderson. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during construction and we are confident the drainage project improvements will be a benefit for Bowerman Airport users for decades to come.”

The project will include the regrading of runway and taxiway shoulders and the area between the runway and taxiway to move water away from those surfaces. Much of the drainage infrastructure in that area will be removed and replaced, with additional catch basins installed as needed, and existing outfalls will be cleaned and repaired as necessary. According to the Port, the area will be seeded and returned to a grass-covered surface after the project is completed. Edge lighting along the runway will be replaced and the segmented navigation circle repaired.

The improvements should dramatically reduce the frequency, amount, and duration of surface water at the airport, according to the Port.

Work will be completed by local contractor Rognlin’s Inc. The project cost of $2,412,623.67 will be shared by the FAA, Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation and the Port of Grays Harbor. The project is the fourth of five phases since 2013 with the final phase of the project scheduled for 2023, which will combine drainage improvements with resurfacing of the aprons and taxiways around the hangars, according to the Port.