Date:
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Contact:
Eric Johnson, johnsel@wsdot.wa.gov, (360) 651-6303
The 2007-2009 biennium is off to a good start with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation awarding $1.3 million in state grants to 44 airports for 88 different projects. Even better - of that $1.3 million, WSDOT is using approximately $219,000 to leverage $8.4 million in federal funds. Airports also contribute a required 2.5% local match to federal funds for their specific projects. Therefore, the combination of state, federal and local match funds brings the grand project total for this round of grants to more than $10 million.
Funding Breakdown
State: $1,334,703.28
Federal: $8,424,799.85
Local Match: $360,927.09
Total: $10,135,155.22
WSDOT Places High Priority on Pavement Projects at Smaller Airports
Consistent with other grant rounds, WSDOT focused most of its funds - approximately $701,000 - towards pavement projects at smaller Washington airports. As revealed in the most recent Airport Pavement Management System report, 23% of Washington airport pavements have deteriorated to the point where costly reconstruction or even rehabilitation is needed. For the rest of the airport pavements, preventative maintenance is required to avoid such costly repair. Through its grant program, WSDOT aims to fund more crucial pavement projects in order to benefit the state's overall air transportation system.
More interesting facts about this first round of 07-09 grants:
Represents the highest number of airports awarded and most number of projects.
Forty-five airports applied / 44 funded - 108 projects requested / 88 funded.
More airports are beginning projects identified through WSDOT funded airport layout plans and pavement maintenance reports completed in 2006.
WSDOT anticipates awarding a similar amount during its second round of 2007-2009 Local Airport Aid Grants in April 2008. The department will solicit applications for that round during February and March 2008.
View the complete list of 2007-2009 projects at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/WSDOT2007AirportGrants.htm.
For more information, contact Aviation Construction Project Managers, Eric Johnson (360) 651-6303, or Jeff Kvamme (360) 651-6304.
< Back to News Home