LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport is taking steps to ensure the airfield remains open and operational in the event of snow this winter season.
Airport officials said they have new equipment to help clear runways, including its 'MB2 multi-functioning snow removal vehicle.'
According to the executive director of Louisville's Regional Airport Authority, he said the nearly $15 million dollar equipment will help speed up the process of clearing runways to keep the flow of air traffic.
"When this is fully operational, we can clear a runway in just about 25 minutes," Executive Director Dan Mann said. "So when you think about the level of efficiency, 17 miles of runways, taxiways, we get it cleared and get the airplanes coming back through."
Mann also said the equipment is especially hand for UPS, which has many packages to deliver during the holiday season.
"Before we had these multi-purpose pieces of equipment, 24 foot plow, 22 foot brew, 400 mile an hour air blast, it would take us nearly twice as long to clear a runway," Mann said. "So the state of the art equipment is expensive but when you're measuring in minutes for storm removal it really comes in handy."
The airport said it has nearly 40 miles of runways and roadways it has to keep clear.
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