Kotlik to receive grant for airport repairs

The Kotlik airport will receive a $9.3 million grant for repair and expansion projects. The $9.3 million grant to the Kotlik Airport will be used to expand a service road, reconstruct taxiway lighting, repair a taxiway, install miscellaneous navigational aids, and repair a runway and an apron.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today (July 9, 2019) announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $477 million in airport infrastructure grants, the third allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States, which includes the Kotlik airport grant.

“This significant investment in airport improvements in Alaska will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The other Alaska grants include awards of:

$9,025,000 million to the South Naknek Airport to repair a runway, taxiway and apron, install miscellaneous navigational aids, repair an access road, reconstruct runway lighting and install airport beacons.

$658,200 to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to reconstruct perimeter fencing.

$444,276 to the Sand Point Airport to purchase an aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle.

$187,500 to the Fairbanks International Airport to conduct a ground transportation study.

There will be a total of 276 grants to 264 airports in 44 states, the Pacific Islands, and the District of Columbia. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increases the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities, and capacity, and could support further economic growth and development within each airport’s region.

Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure. 

Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.