The Town of Superior hosted a ribbon cutting at the Superior Municipal Airport on Thursday night to celebrate the completion of the helicopter landing zones. For decades, when there was a medical emergency, the Superior Fire Department would need to land air evac helicopters on the high school parking lot, which often created additional temporary road closures and other interruptions.
The new landing zones will allow the Superior Fire Department and EMS to transport emergency patients safely. The landing zones are also available for other helicopters. The new landing zones are equipped with lighting and proper markings, which will ensure pilots have a clear spot to land. A gurney path will ensure that patients are transported to the helicopter safely from the ambulance as well.
Funding for the construction of the landing zones was provided through a $500,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division. The construction contract was awarded to Ellison-Mills contracting. The project began in February and, despite a few supply chain issues, the project was completed in a timely manner.
During her remarks, Mayor Mila Besich thanked everyone involved in the project and explained how important the improvements are to public safety as well as the future for economic development at the airport and thanked ADOT for their grant award.
“I also want to thank Councilmember Bruce Armitage for his leadership and advocacy for our airport,” she said. “He has always understood the importance of our airport, and without his leadership, we would not be here today.”
Besich handed the scissors to Councilmember Armitage to cut the ribbon.