U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $7,175,439.00 in funding for critical construction upgrades for Great Falls International Airport.
The funding will be used to construct an extension to the existing (16/34) runway, including improvements to runway safety areas, install guidance signs, install miscellaneous NAVAIDS, install runway sensors, rehabilitate runway, rehabilitate runway lighting and remove obstructions.
“Air travel is essential to Montana’s economy and I’m proud the funding I secured will be used to upgrade the Great Falls Airport,” Daines stated. “This funding will ensure that Great Falls International Airport can continue to serve the region and operate at the highest standard.”
“The Great Falls Airport Authority is excited to receive this grant,” John Faulkner, Director, Great Falls International Airport stated. “These funds will be used for important safety improvements to our airfield and also to rehabilitate an aging runway. We are very appreciative to our partners at the Federal Aviation Administration for recognizing the importance of this project and also to both of our Montana Senators who have been very active in ensuring the FAA had the resources necessary to release these funds.
Daines secured the following provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization:
- Airport Improvement Program (AIP) dollars which build and maintain Montana’s critical aviation infrastructure such as runways.
- Also secured language that ensures if airports see a decrease in enplanements for a year, they don’t lose AIP dollars.
- Daines has also engaged the FAA to expedite grants to northern states with short construction seasons.
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