February 23, 2017
Pennsylvania invested more than $5.9 million to improve the facilities at four state airports, including one in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia International Airport will receive $800,000 to help finance a multi-phase project to lengthen a runway, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday. The money was funded through the state Multimodal Fund, which was created for improvements to transportation including transit, aviation, rail freight, pedestrian, bicycle, highway and bridge.
All four airports will use the funds to upgrade facilities.
"Investments in our state's airports support the hundreds of thousands of jobs they sustain while enhancing communities' economic competitiveness," Wolf said. "These projects will improve these airports' operations and safety as well as educational opportunities for future aviation leaders."
PHL officials are installing a 1,494-foot extension on runway 9R-27L in the first part of the project. The construction will create new taxiways and hold pads for flights to reduce congestion.
The other state airports to receive funds are:
• Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Westmoreland County, $805,000 - to rehabilitate an apron.
• John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport in Cambria County, $1.9 million - to support the development of a Business Aviation Management Degree Program with St. Francis University, upgrade an existing airport facility, purchase a flight simulator for the degree, assist with the first five students' tuition/room and board and marketing the new program.
• Pittsburgh International Airport in Allegheny County, $2.4 million - to leverage Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds to rehabilitate runways and airfield pavement joints.
