U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that four Montana airports will receive $1,465,311.00 for critical construction projects.
Grants will be awarded to airports in Havre, Dillon, Laurel and Billings.
“Montana’s airports are a critical piece of our state’s transportation system, because they bolster our local communities and connect us,” Daines stated. “This additional funding will ensure that our airports can continue to support the communities and regions they serve.”
Grants awarded today by the U.S. Department of Transportation include:
- Havre City-County Airport: $144,900.00 to fund the design phase for the reconstruction of 15,000 square yards of the existing apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. This project will fund the initial design phase for the rehabilitation of 3,700 feet of the existing Taxiway A, 250 feet of the existing Taxiway B, and 1,200 feet of the existing Taxiway C needed to maintain structural integrity of the pavements.
- Dillon Airport: $291,695.00 to fund the installation of five new general aviation apron lights to aid in airport safety during low visibility conditions. This project will fund the acquisition of a new snow removal tractor with plow and broom to enhance the airport’s ability to clear the airfield during adverse weather conditions.
- Laurel Municipal Airport:
- $369,866.00 to fund the design phase to construct a 3,000 foot Runway 14/32 to relocate the existing crosswind runway that has reached the end of its useful life and to meet FAA standards. This project will fund the acquisition of 69.14 acres of land adjacent to the existing airport property for future airport development.
- $158,850.00 to fund the installation of an automatic weather observing system II to enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations at the airport by providing accurate, current, and site-specific weather information.
- Billings Logan International Airport: $500,000.00 to fund the construction of a 750 foot west taxilane to provide access to aircraft hangars. This project will fund lengthening the airport service road 750 feet to improve the safety and efficiency of operations. This project will fund the 1,500 square yard expansion of the west apron to provide additional space for aircraft parking.
Daines secured the following provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration 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.
###