![U.S. Department of Transportation](bg_header.jpg)
Office of Public Affairs
DOT 29-09 Contact:
Jill Zuckman, Tel.: (202) 366-4570
Thursday, March 12, 2009
First Economic Recovery Act Money Released; U.S.
Transportation Secretary LaHood
Announces $12 Million for Pennsylvania Airports
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray
LaHood today announced that Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County
Airports will receive the first funding allocations for airport
infrastructure projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
of 2009.
"This is money that will create jobs now - but it's also an investment in
the long-term safety of our airports and their economic vitality," said
Vice President Biden.
"This is a critical investment in our nation's airport infrastructure that
will boost the local economy by providing jobs for Pittsburgh-area
residents," said Secretary LaHood.
"The Recovery Act is helping us accelerate funding to key projects and
invest in the continued safe and efficient operation of our airports,"
said Acting FAA Administrator Lynne Osmus.
The FAA will allocate $10 million to Pittsburgh International Airport to
repair Runway 14-32, one of four commercial service runways. The project
includes grading, paving, marking signs, and lighting upgrades to the
runway. Pittsburgh serves 4.8 million passengers per year.
The $2 million allocation for Allegheny County, a general aviation
airport, will renovate a taxiway and relocate a ramp. The Allegheny County
Airport Authority operates both airports.
About 3,400 airports designated as part of the national airport system are
eligible to receive Recovery Act funds. The FAA is moving swiftly to Work
with airport sponsors to ensure that eligible projects have completed or
nearly completed, design and planning requirements.
Under the Recovery Act, the FAA received $1 billion to allocate to
qualified airports on a discretionary basis. That funding will be
allocated based on a project priority system that addresses airport safety
and security, infrastructure, runway safety, increased capacity, and
mitigation of environmental impacts. The Recovery Act also requires that
50 percent of the funds be obligated within 120 days, which is June 17,
2009.
###
DOT Briefing Room
|