Airport's new snow plow arrives, without snow

Port District 7 got its new dump truck and blade last Wednesday; but where's the snow?

The truck, with an International chassis, was delivered from Wisconsin, amid a lot of fanfare, with port district officials there to assist in the unloading of the huge truck.

The truck and blade, along with the 35-foot by 40-foot garage to house it, come in at about $292,372 for the truck and $133,000 for the building, according to port district officials.

The entire project, including engineering, was paid for by the Federal Aviation administration, the State Department of Transportation Aviation division, Grant County's Strategic Infrastructure Program (SIP) and 5 percent matching funds from the Port District.

The port district has been trying to clear snow off the 4,200-foot runway with an old truck and blade that barely runs. Officials have been hoping the new truck and blade would arrive in time to keep the runway clear of snow.

But where's the snow?

The truck and blade were unloaded, the blade was connected, and they are now located inside their new garage.

Commissioner Jim Keene said the port district had to complete its inspection of the new equipment.

"I drove the truck at different speeds for an hour and it drives nice," Keene stated.

The building had been constructed last summer by Blackrock Construction of Moses Lake.