Administrator Blakey Calls Grant "Money Well Spent"

Hoping to improve safety and efficiency as well as expand capacity, the Federal Aviation Administration announced it will be issuing more than $40 million in grant money to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said the grants are an investment that will add "a little more horsepower to the workhorse of America's airports," according to the Associated Press.

"This is money very well spent," she said.

Of the lump sum, more than $7 million is earmarked for a runway safety area at the end of ATL's longest runway, 27R. $18.3 million is the first payment of the $179 million the FAA has already committed to a $1.28 billion fifth runway, which opened in May 2006.

The grant also includes $7 million for Taxiway "V" that opened in April and $8 million is to be used to repair the airport's aprons, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

As ANN reported, ATL -- considered the world's busiest airport -- is rapidly running out of room. Atlanta officials were recently encouraged... well, ordered... to consider a second airport. US Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters told community leaders in May they should give serious thought to a second facility -- and put up $1 million for the study.

"Now is the time for Atlanta to consider having multiple commercial airports," she said.

"Atlanta historically has been at the forefront of aviation," Blakey said. "Whether it's anticipating the need for a new runway, building an innovative taxiway, or enhancing runway overrun safety areas, Atlanta is a city that gets it right."

FMI: www.atlanta-airport.com, www.faa.gov