FAA makes grants to Redmond, Prineville, Madras airports
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced Tuesday the Federal Aviation Administration will award $477 million in airport infrastructure grants, the third allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program funding for airports across the United States, including $7.5 million for projects at 13 Oregon airports.
“This significant investment in airport improvements in Oregon will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” Chao said in a news release, which continues below:
The Oregon grants include awards of:
$2,677,589 to Roberts Field in Redmond to construct a snow-removal equipment building. $1,625,000 to the Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport to reconstruct the apron and taxiway. $1,489,953 to Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport to make improvements to the terminal building. $360,000 to Prineville Airport to rebuild and repair taxiways, rebuild a runway, repair runway lighting, install the runway vertical/visual guidance system and install airfield guidance signs. $324,660 to Ken Jernstedt Airfield in Hood River to conduct an environmental study. $203,591 to La Grande/Union County Airport to extend a taxiway, install runway lighting, construct a new apron, repair a taxiway and runway, build a new taxiway, rebuild a runway, install airfield guidance signs and install runway vertical/visual guidance system. $173,473 to Siletz Bay State Airport in Gleneden Beach to repair a runway and taxiway and rebuild a taxiway. $150,000 to Madras Municipal Airport to update the airport’s master plan study. $140,000 to Independence State Airport to install perimeter fencing. $120,000 to Cottage Grove State Airport to install perimeter fencing. $100,000 to Tillamook Airport to expand an apron. $89,261 to Chiloquin State Airport to remove obstructions to the approach and departure path to the runway. $83,800 to Ontario Municipal Airport to build a taxiway and an apron. There will be a total of 276 grants to 264 airports in 44 states, the Pacific Islands, and the District of Columbia. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals.
The construction and equipment supported by this funding increases the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities, and capacity, and could support further economic growth and development within each airport’s region.
Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure.
Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
