Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
Southwest WA Airports Receive $1.39 Million in FAA Grants
Cantwell applauds award: “These grants will help ensure that our airports grow in tandem with the regions they serve”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) celebrated the award of five grants from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) totaling $1.39 million that will help fund renovations for airports in Grays Harbor, Lewis and Clark counties.
The FAA awarded more than $608 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants to airports across the country on Thursday. Washington state airports received 29 grants totaling $38.68 million dollars, the second-highest allocation to any one state. AIP grants fund airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings.
“As we continue our pandemic recovery, more Washingtonians are taking to the skies and showing just how crucial it is to make investments now in our airport infrastructure to prepare for future growth,” Senator Cantwell said. “This $38.68 million in airport infrastructure funding will play a vital role in maintaining Washington state’s airport conditions and increasing passenger capacity. These grants will help ensure that our airports grow in tandem with the regions they serve.”
Grays Harbor County
- $ 866,759 to Bowerman Airport to seal and repair cracks on 5,000 feet of the existing Runway 6/24 surface and existing parallel taxiway surface, and to install seven replacement airfield guidance sign fixtures to meet FAA standards.
- $180,000 to Ocean Shores Municipal Airport to remove airport tree and vegetation obstructions from the Runway 33 approach path. This grant funds the final phase.
Lewis County
- $100,000 to Packwood Airport to update the airport master plan narrative report and layout plan to address key issues, objectives and goals pertinent to the facility’s future development.
- $100,000 to Ed Carlson Memorial Field – South Lewis County Airport to update the airport master plan narrative report and layout plan to address key issues, objectives and goals pertinent to the facility’s future development.
Clark County
- $150,000 to Pearson Field Airport for the design phase of reconstructing the existing airport lighting vault that has met its useful life, acquiring a new emergency generator to ensure electrical service to the airfield in the event of a power outage, and reconstructing the existing Runway 8/26 edge lighting system that has reached the end of its useful life and requires reconstruction to meet FAA standards.
As Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Cantwell has long supported airports throughout the State of Washington. Last year, Senator Cantwell announced two rounds of AIP funds totaling $45 million for airports within the state. In June, Senator Cantwell additionally announced over $217 million in grants from the Airport Rescue Grants program awarded to Washington airports to help keep people safe and employed by reimbursing operational expenses, debt service payments, and costs related to combating the spread of COVID-19.
An interactive map listing each of the AIP awards nationwide can be viewed HERE.
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