FAA AIP Grant For The Project Totals $3.1 Million

The Hawaii State Department of Transportation says an FAA AIP grant totalling $3.1 million will go towards rehabilitation of the runway at Hilo International Airport.

BigIslandNow.com reports that, according to State DOT spokeswoman Caroline Sluyter, the project will involve removal of deteriorated sections of the runway and repaving for a  "smooth, durable landing surface."

“These funds for the Hilo International Airport are an important investment for Hawai'i Island’s local economy,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI).  “These federal funds will make sure Hilo International Airport has the resources it needs to make critical improvements, making it safer and easier for families and visitors to travel to and from Hawai‘i Island.”

Senator Schatz is chairman of the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation.

Sluyter said the project " will prolong the life of the runway by rebuilding the base and repaving the surface which will reduce the chance of foreign object debris.”

(Hilo International Airport image courtesy of the Hawaii DOT)

FMI: www.faa.gov/airports/aip