DOT 65-02
Monday, July 15, 2002
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-5571
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $7.4 Million for Baton Rouge’s Ryan Field
BATON ROUGE, LA – The U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT) today announced $7.4 million in federal grants for Baton Rouge’s Ryan
Field.
Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Emil Frankel,
making the announcement on behalf of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y.
Mineta, presented the check in a ceremony at the airport.
“Protecting and improving our transportation
infrastructure is of central importance to all Americans,” Assistant Secretary
Frankel said. “President Bush and
Secretary Mineta remain dedicated to building a reliable, efficient and secure
transportation system that will encourage Americans to travel and enjoy our
great nation. These grants will
help Ryan Field maintain the highest levels of safety, security and efficiency
in the years ahead.”
"Baton Rouge Airport
is growing into a competitive facility,” said Rep. Richard Baker of Louisiana,
who joined Frankel at the ceremony. “Last
year we attracted Delta's ASA Airlines to Baton Rouge to build a regional
maintenance facility to service the Gulf Coast region, and we continue to work
with other commercial airlines to build partnerships and improved service. The
funding announced today will continue the necessary improvements that will allow
the airport to grow even more. These funds also allow the airport to complete
its Master Plan, which will add to the airport's further growth and success. I
commend the FAA's vision and Assistant Secretary Frankel's leadership by
investing in America's existing airport infrastructure and thank them for
celebrating the airport's success here in Baton Rouge."
A grant of $5 million will be used to continue the
rehabilitation of Runway 4L/22R, which is being carried out in phases.
An additional grant of $1.5 million will be used to construct a new
service road and rehabilitate the terminal apron.
A third grant of $890,350 will be used to update the airport master plan
study.
The grants announced today come from the Airport Improvement Program of DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration.
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