John McHugh

Washington, May 28 - Congressman John M. McHugh (R- Pierrepont Manor) announced that Malone-Dufort Airport, Potsdam Municipal Airport/Damon Field, Ogdensburg International Airport, Massena International-Richards Field Airport, and Watertown International Airport have all received federal grant awards from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration. The grant awards total $3,086,089.

“These awards will provide the funds for five local airports to undertake a number of important projects. I am a strong supporter of rural airports, and receiving federal grants from DOT is critical to ensuring that these airports remain viable,” said McHugh. “I am very pleased that DOT funded these five airports in our region, and I look forward to continuing to support rural airports in our area.”

The projects are as follows:

• Malone-Dufort Airport in Malone, New York will receive a $812,250 grant award. The grant will provide federal funding to construct a partial parallel taxiway at the airport. Construction of a parallel taxiway to Runway 5-23 will eliminate back-taxiing on the runway, enhance safety and operations at the airport.
• Potsdam Municipal Airport/Damon Field in Potsdam, New York will receive a $166,250 grant award. The grant will provide federal funding to perform an airport master plan update at the airport. The current master plan was approved in 1994 and is outdated. The master plan update will incorporate changes as well as develop new aviation activity forecasts and facility requirements based on the forecasts.
• Ogdensburg International Airport in Ogdensburg, New York will receive a $237,500 grant award. The grant will provide federal funding to install a runway vertical/visual guidance system at the airport. This project will install a four box precision approach path indicator system for the runway. The existing visual approach slope indicator is twenty years old and in poor condition. This project will enhance airfield safety.
• Massena International-Richards Field Airport in Massena, New York will receive two grants, the first for $745,203 and the second for $82,140. The first award will provide federal funding to install guidance signs at the airport. The existing airfield signs were installed between 1990 and 1992, and are reaching the end of their serviceable life. The replacement of the guidance signs will enhance the safety at the airport. The second award will provide funding for phase VIII to replace the terminal building at the airport. A new terminal building will provide more efficient use of space, better passenger access and will allow the facility to meet federal regulations and requirements.
• Watertown International Airport in Watertown, New York will receive a $1,042,746 grant award. The grant will provide federal funding to rehabilitate Taxiway A at the airport. The existing pavement is in very poor condition and requires rehabilitation to enhance safe airfield operations.