Improvements Will Eventually Allow Larger Aircraft

Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine Airport (KSGJ) has been awarded $5.5 million for construction of a runway safety area, according to U.S. Representative John Mica.

Sunrise At KSGJ

"This funding will increase the technical length of the runway to allow the (airport) to accommodate larger aircraft," Mica said in announcing the grant Monday. "These safety improvements will be beneficial to both the airport's biggest co-tenant, Northrop Grumman, and any future private and commercial service."

The St. Augustine Record reports that the funds are not federal stimulus dollars, but rather a grant from the FAA's Airport Improvement program.

This money is in addition to $899,066 in funding for KSGJ from the FAA announced August 13th.  Mica said those funds will be used to construct an aircraft rescue and fire fighting building at the airport.

The latest grant comes on the heels of an announcement late last week that that the FAA has approved $9 million for runway improvements at the Daytona Beach International Airport. Mica (below) said the airport improvement trust fund dollars going to Daytona are welcome news after overcoming initial delays in moving forward with the project.

“I am pleased to be able to help clear up issues raised by the FAA that would have kept the project from moving forward and delay this important project,” said Rep. Mica. “This news means we will save taxpayer dollars by completing the whole runway expansion and receive a substantially discounted bill for the improvements.”
 
Mica worked with Volusia County officials and airport leaders to clear red tape that held up the project and threatened a delay that would have required incurring additional costs. The $9 million for runway improvements at DBIA are necessary to continue service at the airport, which has seen the numbers of passengers increase every month this year.

Congressman Mica concluded, “At this time when we need a boost in jobs and employment, the release of these trust fund dollars is most welcome.”

On a personal note, we're particularly fond of KSGJ, as it serves as home to ANN's Cirrus SR22 when it's not on the grass at Haller Airpark.

FMI: http://mica.house.gov