Schatz Announces Over $23 Million in Federal Transportation Funding
Today, Senator Brian Schatz announced seven grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) totaling more than $23 million for Hawai‘i including funding for airport projects in Honolulu, Kaunakakai, and Lanai City.
“The FAA and FTA have made transportation in Hawai‘i a priority, and the grants announced today are evidence of that,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “I have confirmed through conversations with Transportation Secretary Foxx and Federal Transit Administration Administrator Rogoff that our state will continue to receive funding for critical improvements, allowing Hawai‘i to continue to grow as a tourist destination and economic center.”
The grants include:
- Runway pavement rehab: $10,522,090 from the FAA for Phase II, rehabilitation of existing runway pavement at the Honolulu International Airport that is needed to maintain structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris.
- Bus replacement: $3,440,000 from the FTA for the purchase of replacement buses for the County of Hawaii transit agency, the County of Maui Transportation Department, and the County of Kauai Transportation Department. The new buses will also have improved access for mobility limited passengers and patrons with bicycles. This project was selected on a competitive basis from the State of Good Repair Program and project selection was announced August 2012. The funds are now being obligated for the project.
- Airport drainage improvements: $3,022,148 from the FAA for Phase II, construction of airport drainage improvements at the Molokai Airport in Kaunakakai. The drainage improvements are necessary to adequately handle stormwater runoff.
- Additional airport pavement upgrades: $2,500,000 from the FAA to update the Pavement Management Program for the seven-primary and one-reliever airport within the State of Hawaii. The project is needed to establish the current condition of the airfield pavement and to address how the airfield pavement will be maintained or upgraded to acceptable levels.
- Hangar rehab: $2,074,869 from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program for Phase II rehabilitation of Hangar 110 at Kalaeloa Airport (John Rodgers Field) in Honolulu.
- Airport runway lighting: $1,041,930 from the FAA to rehabilitate the runway lighting system that has reached the end of its useful life at the Lanai Airport in Lanai City. The project is necessary to enhance safe airfield operations during low visibility conditions and to meet Federal Aviation Regulations Part 139 requirements.
- Study of airport system needs: $904,500 from the FAA to conduct a state system plan study to evaluate the existing airport system and identify airport development needs.
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