Perryville’s historic World War II airfield has received one of the aviation engineering industry’s highest distinctions, capping off a decade of effort to rebuild and preserve one of the longest runways between St. Louis and Memphis.
The Perryville Regional Airport recently earned the “Gold Award for Municipal Airports” from the American Concrete Producers Association at its national conference in Carlsbad, California. The honor followed an initial regional win at an awards event in Kansas City earlier this year. According to Airport Manager Barbara Maxwell, the project was submitted into competition by contractor Millstone Weber and advanced through the selection process before ultimately taking the top national spot.
Maxwell attended the ceremony alongside engineers and contractors who worked on the runway — an infrastructure upgrade many in Perryville have been fighting for over the past 10 years. She said the win wasn’t expected and that no one knew which project would earn gold until the announcement was made. “Out of the two projects that got nominated, the Perryville Regional Airport Runway Project actually took a gold award,” she said.
A RUNWAY WITH A PAST
Constructed in 1944, the airfield originally known as Chester Army Airfield served as a primary pilot-training base during the war, using Fairchild PT-19 aircraft and graduating cadets until operations ended in 1944. The site was deeded to Perryville in 1947, and in the decades since, it has grown into a regional aviation hub and economic engine.
Over time, however, age and aircraft weight took a toll. Maxwell said the concrete began to fail — cracking through its 6-inch depth — and stones “the size of your hand” would break loose under heavier aircraft. As Weststar Aviation began operating on-site, the runway was used by larger jets, even C-130s in earlier years, exceeding its weight rating.
City Administrator Brent Buerck said officials knew a major investment was necessary to keep the airport viable. Working with MoDOT Aviation, the FAA and elected representatives, the city secured state and federal funding, leaving Perryville responsible for only a small portion of the nearly $11 million rebuild.
REBUILT, REWIRED, REENGINEERED
Engineers reduced the runway length from 7,003 feet to roughly 6,483–6,403 feet to correct a displaced threshold caused by the runway safety area extending toward Highway H — a design change that restored full landing usability.
The rebuild itself was extensive: the surface was leveled with asphalt before being overlaid with 9 to 10 inches of new concrete, and new lighting and electrical infrastructure were installed. Maxwell said watching the construction firsthand gave her a deeper appreciation for the complexity beneath what pilots see on approach — wiring, drainage, lighting canisters and even chemical welding that she described as “lava hot.”
Closure time was another challenge. West Star Aviation faced the possibility of losing operational access for a month, prompting city officials, engineers and the contractor to negotiate a compressed construction timeline. Millstone Weber poured the concrete within 30 days, later reopening early mornings and evenings while finishing surface work during daytime hours.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Project engineer Brian Bloodworth, with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Inc., said the award reflects both the quality of the build and the spirit of cooperation behind it. Though based in St. Louis, he worked on-site during construction, inspecting materials and ensuring specifications were met. “It was a wonderful project,” he said, noting that he hopes the runway continues to strengthen local business aviation and welcomes new pilots to the region.
Bloodworth also praised Perryville staff for their partnership throughout the process. “Brent and Barb and the entire city staff have been wonderful to work with,” he said, calling it one of the best projects he has been involved in.
For Maxwell, momentum matters as much as recognition. The new runway — fully open as of November following a ribbon-cutting ceremony — positions Perryville to retain and attract traffic that smaller regional airports cannot accommodate, especially during poor weather or when length is required for jet operations. What began as a 1940s military airfield now stands renewed — modernized, strengthened and honored on a national stage.
And in the words of those who helped rebuild it, Perryville’s runway isn’t simply concrete — it’s a runway to the future.
