Total Of 31 Airports Will Benefit From Federal, State, Local
Funds
Declaring that "we are
committed to preserving the state’s aviation system by
stretching our state grant funds to the maximum extent," Washington
Aviation Operations Manager Stan Allison announced Wednesday the
state's Local Airport Aid Grant Program has appropriated $13.3
million for 39 different airport improvement projects throughout
the state.
A total of 31 public-use airports in Washington will benefit
from WSDOT’s latest round of state, local and federal grants
awarded during the 2005-2007 biennium. Of the total $13.3 million
awarded, WSDOT used approximately $1.8 million in state grants to
fund the projects.
WSDOT also used $288,423 in state funds to leverage more than
$10.8 million in federal funds.
"We continue to encourage eligible airports to accept federal
funds first," Allison added. "This allows us to leverage millions
of federal dollars for important airport improvement projects,
while focusing more of our state grants on smaller airports that
are not eligible for federal money."
The latest round of grants -- coupled with $1.2 million given in
July 2005 -- is the largest amount of grants awarded by WSDOT
during a biennium. The state Legislature also supported the effort,
by approving WSDOT’s $1.5 million supplemental budget
request.
A full rundown of airports slated to receive improvements is
available at the FMI link below (Renton Municipal, one of the
airports that will benefit, is shown at the right.)
WSDOT's grant program is funded through an 11-cent-per gallon
fee on aviation fuel, along with aircraft registration fees. If
remaining funds are available, WSDOT may award a third round of
grants in early 2007.
"The Legislature and
state aviation users have helped to make this a record-breaking
biennium for our Local Airport Aid Grant Program,” said
Allison. “We will return the favor by delivering quality
projects that focus on pavement to improve the health of our
state’s system of airports."
WSDOT reports airport improvement projects slated for the
2005-2007 biennium are in the areas of pavement, safety, planning,
maintenance, security and runway safety. Pavement maintenance --
the main focus of WSDOT’s grant program (understandable,
given the effect Washington's rainy weather has on concrete and
asphalt) -- comprises about 78 percent of the planned projects.
Another 42 percent of WSDOT funds have enabled those paving
projects, with 64 percent going to smaller airports that are not
eligible for federal funding.