Funds Earmarked For Safety Enhancements, Other Improvements

A $10 million state investment will fund important projects at 10 airports across Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Corbett said Thursday.

"As I outlined in my transportation proposal, a multi-modal transportation system is essential to sustaining and growing our economy," Corbett (pictured) said. "These investments will enhance safety and improve facilities to ensure that regional needs are met while supporting jobs and the local economy."

The grants are distributed through the Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance Program, which is funded through state capital bond dollars in the General Fund budget. The grants leverage more than $11 million in local matching funds. Authorized by the General Assembly, the grants are administered by PennDOT's Bureau of Aviation.

The grants were approved Thursday by the State Transportation Commission. The 15-member commission includes the Transportation Secretary, 10 private citizens appointed by the governor, and the majority and minority chairs of the state Senate and House Transportation Committees.

The state has 133 public-use airports and heliports, and 15 of those airports have scheduled commercial service.

FMI: www.dot.state.pa.us