|
 |
DOT
66-03
Contact: Bill Mosley
Thursday, August 14, 2003
Tel.: (202) 366-5571
U.S.
Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $16.2
Million for Miami International Airport
MIAMI
- At a ceremony today at Miami International Airport, U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced federal grants totaling $16.2 million
for the airport.
A
total of $11 million will be used for construction of a new runway to help
increase the airport's capacity and reduce flight delays.
The remaining $5.2 million will fund measures to enhance the airport's
security.
"We
at the Department of Transportation understand the importance of this airport to
the economy not only of Miami, but all of southern Florida," Secretary
Mineta said as he presented a ceremonial check to Angela Gittens, director of
aviation at Miami International. "This
check is an investment in your future."
Secretary
Mineta also urged Congress, when it returns to Washington next month, to quickly
pass pending legislation to authorize the nation's air transportation system
over the next four years. The $60
billion legislation will fund federal initiatives in aviation safety, security,
and environmental research, as well as airport construction and expansion.
The
runway grant comes from the Airport Improvement Program of the U.S. Department
of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA also provided funding for the security enhancements, based on
recommendations from the Transportation Security Administration, part of the
Department of Homeland Security.
###