On July 31, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $7,249,095 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The funding will support improvements at eight airports across West Virginia including $72,483 for Braxton County Airport near Sutton. The funding is made possible by the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
“I’m pleased the DOT is investing more than $7.2 million to improve service, safety and efficiency at eight of our West Virginia airports,” said Senator Manchin. “West Virginia’s airports are crucial gateways to the rest of the world, and the funding announced today will support local tourism as well as spur economic and commercial development across our entire state. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to support transportation hubs across the Mountain State.”
The $72,483 coming to central West Virginia will be used to construct new drainage ditches, drop inlets, and pipes to bring Braxton County Airport into conformity with current standards.
Other individual awards went to: Greenbrier Valley Regional Airport, Lewisburg for $6,507,704. This funding will support rehabilitating 7,000 feet of Runway 4/22 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris. Mingo County Airport, Williamson will receive $153,598. This funding will be used to reconstruct 522 feet of existing perimeter fencing and one gate. A grant $134,940 was awarded West Virginia International Yeager Airport, Charleston. This funding will be used to construct a new 1,200 foot retaining wall to stabilize the apron embankment to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. Mercer County Regional Airport in Bluefield received $126,288. This funding will support an aeronautical survey for an area navigation instrument approach for Runway 23. $93,530 went to Grant County Airport, Petersburg. These funds will rehabilitate 10,300 square yards of the existing Main Apron pavement to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris.
A $69,159 grant went to Wood County Regional Airport in Parkersburg. The funding will be used in rehabilitating 13,860 square feet and the existing 81,900 square foot non-revenue generating parking lot. Upshur County Regional Airport, Buckhannon will receive $58,876 to install a new airport rotating beacon to enhance safety. The facility will also receive $32,517 to construct 10,000 square foot box hangar buildings.