$4.2 million pledged for Fayette airport’s runway
CONNELLSVILLE – Runway improvement projects at the Joseph A. Hardy-Connellsville Airport can now take flight thanks to a federal grant. Close to $18.5 million in federal funding will be distributed to 24 airports across the state to help pay for safety improvements or upgrade existing facilities, said state Department of Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E.
The local airport would receive $4,146,315 of that money to improve the runway safety area. Sam Cortis, airport manager, said the funding would go to the relocation of three natural gas transmission lines, which would enable them to complete a runway extension.
Cortis added that the timeline on the project depends on funding, and he hopes the grant is enough to complete the project. He also noted that until the numbers are in from Spectra Energy, the company that owns the gas lines, the complete cost of the project is unknown.
Securing the funds was a long process, he added, explaining that a master plan was started in 2000 and then the airport had to obtain environmental clearances.
Next year the airport plans to start moving earth for the runway extension, he added.
The Washington County Airport also received $1,433,250 to “repair and widen their runway to better accommodate current and future aircraft,” according to a press release.
“Airports are critically important to the economic vitality of Pennsylvania,” Biehler stated in the press release. “This $18.5 million investment will help ensure that these airports continue to operate safely and efficiently.”
Funding for the grants is provided by the federal government and administered by PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation.
Other airports receiving funding are: Beaver County Airport, Zelienople Airport, Bradford County Airport, Quakertown Airport, Butler County Airport, Jake Arner Memorial Airport, Chester County/G.O. Carlson Airport, New Garden Flying Field, Clearfield-Lawrence Airport, Bloomsburg Municipal Airport, Port Meadville Airport, St. Mary’s Municipal Airport, Corry-Lawrence Airport, Indiana County/Jimmy Stewart Field, Punxsutawney Municipal Airport, Grove City Airport, Mifflin County Airport, Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport, Wings Field, Wellsboro-Johnston Airport, Titusville Airport, and Venango Regional Airport.