The Federal Aviation Administration recently awarded more than $6.2 million in grants for improvements to rural Nevada airports.
The grants will fund construction projects, new equipment, better runways and more safety measures at airports in rural counties, Senator Harry Reid said in an announcement Wednesday.
“Transportation is vital to Nevada’s continued growth and these funds will help facilitate that expansion,” Reid said in a statement. “Improving and modernizing our rural airports is key to the economic success of each of our counties.
“I will continue to ensure every airport has the 21st century infrastructure it needs to expand rural economies and provide safe and convenient access to areas across Nevada.”
More than $290,000 from the Federal Highway Administration is going toward a pilot program that would deploy peak-season pricing and enforcement at rural tourist parking facilities in the Lake Tahoe State Route 28 Corridor.
Nine airports are expected to receive funding for improvements. That includes Minden-Tahoe Airport, which will receive $1,359,375 for the rehabilitation taxiway and apron pavement.
Derby Field Airport, nearly 87 miles northeast of Reno, is set to receive $600,000 for its runways, pavements and vertical and visual guidance systems, making the airport more accessible to pilots.
Fallon Municipal Airport is also set to receive $150,000 to help fund its runway rehabilitation.
The grants are the latest funding to help improve state airports and transportation systems, officials said in a news release. Last year, Reid announced more than $9.1 million in FAA grants for updates to airports.
In 2012, Reid also helped pas the FAA Reauthorization Act, which saved more than 280,000 jobs by updating air-traffic control systems to meet modern standards, officials said.
At a glance:
Ely Field Airport in Yelland will receive $2,110,214 for the repaving of its runway and re-designing of its taxiway.
Jackpot/Hayden Field airport will receive $871,875 for replacement of the runway lighting system. That includes funds for a new vertical and visual guidance system.
Boulder City Municipal Airport will receive $478,125 to fund an updated to the existing airport master plan study.
Owyhee Airport will receive $450,000 to help fund snow removal equipment and a new storage building.
Lincoln County Airport will receive $150,000 to fund construction of the perimeter fence. That includes funds to design a single pump fuel facility.
Alamo Landing Field will receive $105,000 to fund new snow removal equipment.
http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2015/07/15/faa-grants-fund-rural-nevada-airports/30188329/