	Congressman Trent Franks Announces Grant for Mohave County Airport


	Aug 1, 2007 – Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) today announced a grant of $8,937,592.00, which will be provided through the Department of Transportation to the Hualapai Tribe of northern Arizona, and will be used for runway construction and improvement of airport drainage at Grand Canyon West Airport, located in Peach Springs, AZ. Franks stated, “I’m very pleased to announce this grant for almost $9 million for this significant construction project in Arizona’s Second District. This grant will enable the Hualapai Tribe to improve the functionality of the Grand Canyon West Airport, which fields hundreds of flights in and out of Mohave County every day. It is my hope that not only will the airport benefit from this improvement, but that the effects of a more efficient and modernized transportation system will be felt throughout Peach Springs and all of Mohave County.” According to the Federal Aviation Administration, improvements to the airport will include: Site preparation, grading and drainage to accommodate moving runway 17/35 1,000 feet to the north and widening it from 60 feet to 75 feet. The runway will remain 5,058 feet long. Construction of a full-length parallel taxiway and connector taxiways adjacent to the new runway Paving, lighting and marking of the new runway and associated taxiway system Installation of precision approach path indicators – a system of colored lights – and a rotating airport beacon. The equipment aids pilots in their approaches to the runway Construction of a new aircraft parking apron, terminal building, vehicle access roads, and parking. Relocation of Buck and Doe Road to the west side of the runway. Development of utility infrastructure, including water-line extension, no-effluent wastewater treatment facilities and renewable energy power sources. Installation of airport perimeter fencing. The Grand Canyon West Airport benefited by the grant represents a significant economic resource managed by the Hualapai Tribe, which also manages the recently constructed Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge constructed in 2005 and suspended more than 4,000 above the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River that has attracted over 3,000 visitors daily since its opening in March of 2007. Both the Skywalk and Grand Canyon West Airport continue to facilitate increased tourism throughout the Second District, as well as employment opportunities for the Hualapai and other tribal members.

Congressman Franks is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, and is Ranking Member on the Constitution Subcommittee.