Maine And South Carolina to Benefit
Elected Representatives
announced Friday that millions in airport grants will go to improve
airports in Maine and South Carolina. Pilots flying into Maine will
soon find improved facilities according to Congressmen Tom Allen
and Michael Michaud. Not to be outdone, Senator Lindsey Graham of
South Carolina announced over $12 million in grants to airports in
his state.
"FAA grants help immensely to fund expansion and continued
service growth at the Portland International Jetport, Maine's
busiest airport and one of the State's most important
transportation hubs," Representative Allen said. "FAA grants
are also critical to sustain and expand aviation services essential
to the economy and quality of life in the rural areas of Maine and
America served by airports like those in Rockland and
Wiscasset. I am a strong and consistent proponent in
Congress to increase FAA funding and provide crucial financial
support to commercial and civil aviation."
The FAA awarded $3.9 million in grants to improve airports in
Portland, Rockland and Wiscasset. The Portland International
Jetport will rebuild four taxiways and realign them to work with
the relocated runway currently under construction. Knox County
Regional Airport in Rockland will receive $600,000 to do an
environmental assessment, permitting, and then improvements to the
access road, terminal, taxiway, signage, and fencing. $300,000 will
go to the Wiscasset Airport to extend the partial parallel taxiway
to provide a full parallel taxiway to the existing runway.
Another $2.8 million in funding was announced by Congressman
Michaud. Seven additional Maine airports, in Bangor, Bar Harbor,
Caribou, Old Town, Pittsfield, Presque Isle and Rangeley will
receive funding for improvements.
"I am very pleased that these deserving airports were awarded
funding from the Federal Aviation Administration," said Michaud.
"These projects will help local airports make improvements and
facility upgrades that will ensure safe access to airfields
throughout the Second District."
Bangor International
Airport will use just over $517,729 to improve the runway safety
area and $285,000 to acquire snow removal equipment. Bar Harbor
will get $405,000 to rehabilitate the runway and improve the
terminal building. Dewitt Field in Old Town will use $179,000
to improve runway safety. Pittsfield Municipal Airport will
spend $150,000 to construct a snow removal equipment
building. The Steven A. Bean Municipal Airport in Rangeley will
spend $400,000 for taxiway construction and other improvements.
Senator Lindsey Graham announced that 15 facilities in South
Carolina would receive more than $12 million in FAA grants
according to media reports. Myrtle Beach will receive $3.6 million
for the construction of the first phase of a new terminal-area road
system, and a new apron and taxiway system between the new terminal
and the airfield.
The Georgetown County Airport will receive $1.2 million for
improvements, including an environmental study, and Andrews
Municipal will receive $150,000 to get started on design and
clearing of the runway approach surfaces. Other airports receiving
grants were located around Charleston, Columbia and
Williamsburg.