Officials at Colorado’s Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) will celebrate a grand re-opening Dec. 17 following the completion of a $22 million runway renovation project.

Astronaut and Telluride homeowner Neil Armstrong will serve as the guest of honor at the event, which will celebrate the completion of Phase II of the airport’s reconstruction — a modernization project that included the removal of the existing runway, reducing grades, widening safety areas, extending the length of the runway and adding all new runway lighting. Phase III of the reconstruction, set to begin in 2010, will widen the remaining safety areas and add an engineered material arresting system (EMASS).

For more information: TellurideAirport.com.