An innovative expansion project at the Danville Airport will use a construction material manufactured out of fly ash from Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.'s Montour power plant near Washingtonville.

In the project, a 5,520-square-foot hanger to house six planes is being constructed at the facility. Future development plans also call for the addition of a 3,000-foot paved runway.

To fill and level the area where the hanger will be constructed, the Northumberland-Montour Airport Commission has selected Stabil-Fill, an economical fill material that uses fly ash produced when coal is burned in the electricity generation process.

"We're pleased to work with the airport commission on this important project," said Rodney B. Keller, PP&L's community development director. "It will have environmental and economic benefits for the area.

"Availability of air transportation plays an important part in the decision-making when businesses and industries are looking at new locations. Consequently, expansion of the Danville Airport is a key component in economic development plans for the two-county area."

An excellent material for construction use, Stabil-Fill dries more quickly than soil-based fills normally used, and it compacts well. Also, it develops a higher strength than soil-based fill and is more economical. It is produced by mixing hydrated lime with the fly ash to create a material that is chemically stable and environmentally safe.

The Stabil-Fill to be used in the airport expansion project is produced at PP&L's Montour power plant near Washingtonville, Montour County. It is marketed by JTM Industries Inc., a Georgia-based firm.