Minto airport upgraded, renamed.

• Position: AVIATION

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The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities officially renamed the improved airport the "Minto Al Wright Airport" to honor Alaska aviation pioneer Al Wright. The request to rename the airport came from the Minto Seth-De-Ya-Ah Corp. and had strong community and legislative support.

DOT&PF completed a $7 million dollar airport upgrade this summer to bring the airport into compliance with Federal Aviation Administration and State of Alaska requirements. Upgrades included a longer runway, installing airport lighting and FAA Navigation equipment, building an equipment storage building and constructing a...