Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko today announced that Albany International Airport will receive $3,978,545.00 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for airport upgrades. The federal funding will be used to rehabilitate the existing Runway, the pavement of which is nearing the end of its useful life. This federally funded grant will be issued as a multi-year grant and dispensed with $1,248,827 in fiscal year 2014 funding. The remaining $2,729,718 will be added through amendments which are subject to future appropriations through fiscal year 2015.
“Keeping Albany International Airport in top-notch shape is critical to attracting business and tourism to the region,” said Senator Schumer. “These federal dollars will go a long way toward helping the county make much-needed upgrades to the airport’s runway, which will help ensure sure the airport continues to be a regional leader for years to come.”
“This grant will enable Albany International Airport to restore and modernize a vital runway by repaving, marking and lighting to operate with greater efficiency and higher safety standards, thus fulfilling the needs of residents and visitors within this busy hub,” Senator Gillibrand said.
“This project will continue to support aviation needs in the Capital Region through air infrastructure improvements. Our local airports like Albany International are tremendous drivers of the economy, and by giving these facilities the resources they need to enhance their operations, we can help to bring more business to the area. The more we support local travel, the more we set ourselves up for economic prosperity down the road,” said Congressman Paul Tonko.
“This federal grant will ensure continued optimal lighting and operating conditions for aircraft arriving and departing from Albany International Airport,” said Rev. Kenneth Doyle, Chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority.”
The Albany International Airport is the primary air center for the Capital Region, Northeastern New York and Western New England. They service more than one million people per year. The federal funding will be used to rehabilitate the runway, which is in need of replacement, as it is nearing the end of its useful life. Replacing lighting, marking and modernizing the runway will allow for greater safety measures and promotes further efficiency.
This funding for Albany International Airport is part of the Airport Improvement Program and is administered by DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Airport Improvement Program provides grants to public agencies for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Funds obligated for the AIP are drawn from the Airport and Airway Trust fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes, and other similar revenue sources.