BEATTY -- A $431,623 contract was awarded by Nye County Commissioners to Triton Grading and Paving to pave a 57,600 square foot expansion of an apron at the Beatty Airport at the April 15 meeting here.

They also voted to award a $106,220 contract to PBS&J for management, inspection and testing during the construction. The compensation rates for PBS&J include $200 per hour for the project principal, the senior project manager $160, project manager and land surveyors are paid $120 per hour.

The Federal Aviation Administration awarded Nye County a $510,951 grant for the lion's share of the project. Nye County will add $26,892 out of the payment equal to taxes the county receives from the U.S. Department of Energy for the land value of Yucca Mountain.

The paving work includes alternate bids to install a segment circle with a lighted wind cone and installing an apron light.

While Pahrump has a private Calvada Meadows air strip off Highway 160 with few amenities, the Beatty Airport has a paved, access road off Highway 95, is visible at night with an airport beacon and is totally enclosed by fence.