The Good News? He's Throwing the Money at Airports This Time

$2 Million for Council Bluffs Municipal Airport

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta just announced a grant of $2 million to allow construction of a runway at Council Bluffs (IA) Municipal Airport.

"I am pleased that President Bush and Secretary Mineta realize the importance of enhancing operational safety at the Council Bluffs Airport," Rep. Steve King (R-IA) said. "This funding will go a long way to maintain consistency with the Iowa State Aviation System Plan and will complement the regional system of airport facilities."

The grant will provide funds for the relocation of County Road, which is necessary for the construction of the new runway.

$6 Million at Philadelphia International Airport

"President Bush and I remain dedicated to building a safe, secure and reliable transportation system that operates efficiently, strengthens the economy and improves our quality of life," Secretary Mineta said. "Safety is the Bush administration's top transportation priority, and protecting and improving our transportation infrastructure is of central importance to all Americans. This investment will help Philadelphia International Airport maintain the highest levels of safety in the years ahead."

The grant will provide funding to install the airport's surface movement guidance and control system. The project will include installation of visual navigation aids, taxiway lighting, runway guard lights and stop bars.

...and $21.6 Million for Alaska Airports

Airports receiving grants are:

• Fairbanks International Airport -- $9 million to construct a deicing containment facility and rehabilitate a taxiway.
• Bethel Airport -- $5 million to construct a runway safety area.
• Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, Kotzebue -- $4.5 million to construct a combined aircraft rescue and firefighting/snow removal equipment building.
• Yakutat Airport -- $1.5 million to construct a runway safety area, remove obstructions from the airport surface, and rehabilitate a runway, taxiway and apron.
• Kobuk Airport -- $1.4 million to rehabilitate and extend the airport's runway and rehabilitate the apron.
• Wasilla Airport -- $200,000 to construct an apron.
• Anaktuvuk Pass Airport -- $100,000 to rehabilitate the runway.

But wait! There's more!

These seven grants are in addition to the 12 grants totaling $51.2 million for safety and security at Alaskan airports announced by Secretary Mineta on August 19

All the grants come from money that flows through the Airport Improvement Program.

FMI: www.FAA.gov