September 14, 2018

Wyden, Merkley Announce More Than $2.7 Million for Oregon airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced more than $2.7 million in federal transportation grants for Oregon airports in Lakeview, Florence, The Dalles, Albany, Astoria, Corvallis, Independence, McMinnville, Salem, Mulino and Scappoose.

“Infrastructure investment, like these grants, is essential for secure and reliable Oregon airports throughout our state,” Wyden said. “These transportation resources help to maintain quality of life for Oregonians living and working in all these communities.”

“Small airports connect rural Oregon to economic opportunity, health care services, and more,” Merkley said. “I will continue to use my seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fight for these much-needed transportation grants for airports across the state.”

“The City of Florence is thankful to be receiving this funding to pay for significant improvements to our municipal airport,’’ said Florence City Manager Erin Reynolds. “With this FAA grant, we are able to leverage local dollars to upgrade the lighting and airport runway safety improvements. Airports like ours in rural and coastal areas are a vital link to the rest of the world, enabling us to have better access and ability to provide to business trade, healthcare, and emergency response just like anywhere else. “

The $2.76 million in Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program grants are distributed as follows:

  • Lake County Airport, $1.43 million for installation of beacons and to reconstruct the airport apron for parking
  • Florence Municipal Airport, $1.05 million for maintenance work on its runway and lighting system
  • Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport, $225,000 for reconstruction of the taxiway and to reconstruct the airport apron for parking
  • Albany Municipal Airport, Astoria Regional Airport, Corvallis Municipal Airport, Independence State Airport, McMinnville Municipal Airport, McNary Field (Salem), Mulino State Airport, Scappoose Industrial Airpark, $57,848 for environmental studies