Federal Grants To Fund Airfield Projects

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has utilized $18.3 million in federal grant money to fund several recent airfield construction contracts totaling $25 million and is the recipient of $3.4 million in new airfield construction design grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.

"Demands on our infrastructure are at an all-time high," said Mark Gale, Deputy Director of Aviation, Operations and Facilities. "These grants enable the Airport to finance the necessary initiatives to maintain an infrastructure that is safe and efficient."

Federal grants account for $18.3 million of some $25 million in recently awarded airfield improvement contracts, including:

• The rehabilitation of Runway 17-35, consisting of pavement resurfacing and lighting enhancements, $6.9 million.
• The design and construction of a Surface Movement Guidance and Control System. This is a special airfield lighting system that helps to guide aircraft and ground vehicles during periods of low visibility, $8 million.
• The reconstruction of Taxiway J, consisting of concrete rehabilitation and replacement, $5 million.
• The replacement of the apron in front of building C-2 in Cargo City, $5 million.
• New federal grants totaling $3.4 million will be the principal funding source for a variety of future airfield projects, including:
• Another phase of Cargo City Apron Reconstruction, $1,678,936.
• The reconstruction of the Aircraft Parking Apron between Terminals D and E, $900,000.
• The resurfacing of the 10,500-foot long east-west Runway 9L-27R, $750,000.

  

"This federal funding is critical in offsetting costs that would otherwise be incurred by the airlines, which are facing serious financial challenges at this time," said Charles J. Isdell, the City's Director of Aviation. "The Airport appreciates the support of our congressional delegation in the pursuit of these grants."

The grants come from the federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) administered by the US Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration.

The Philadelphia Airport System is owned and operated by the City of Philadelphia and is composed of Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The Airport System is a self-sustaining entity that operates without the use of local tax dollars. It is one of the largest economic engines in Pennsylvania, generating an estimated $8 billion in spending to the regional economy and employing a workforce of nearly 22,000.

FMI: www.phl.org