Shea-Porter, Shaheen, and Hassan Announce $6.8 Million Federal Grant to Manchester Airport to Realign and Reconstruct Two Taxiways
WASHINGTON, DC— Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) and Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan today announced that Manchester-Boston Regional Airport will receive a $6.8 million grant from the Department of Transportation to realign and reconstruct two taxiways. The new configuration will ensure they meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards and will enhance safety and efficiency for aircraft arriving and departing on Runway 35.
“Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is critical for our New Hampshire economy, and this federal funding will improve efficiency and safety at the airport,” said Shea-Porter. “The federal government plays an important role in financing infrastructure projects, and this is the kind of investment that we need to see a lot more of from Washington. We need to come together to work on a comprehensive infrastructure plan that will spur job-creating investments and improve the safety of our transportation infrastructure.”
“The Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is essential to our state’s economy, and I welcome this significant federal funding to improve the safety and efficiency of its taxiways,” said Shaheen. “I am pleased to see the FAA recognize and invest in our local infrastructure. Continued development of this airport is necessary to effectively serve the Granite Staters and the many tourists from all over the world who visit New Hampshire each year.”
“The Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is a vital economic engine for New Hampshire, and improving these two taxiways will help the airport continue to serve passengers safely and efficiently,” said Senator Hassan. “I will continue working to ensure that our transportation infrastructure is strong, modern, and meets the needs of our people and businesses in the 21st century innovation economy.”
“This FAA grant will allow Manchester-Boston Regional Airport to realign and reconstruct two critical taxiways to meet current FAA design standards and enhance airport safety and efficiency,” said Interim Airport Director Tom Malafronte.
The grant is administered through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). AIP grants are used to build or rehabilitate runways, taxiways, and other airside facilities at airports. The AIP was last extended as part of the short-term FAA reauthorization that was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (Omnibus). The entire New Hampshire delegation voted for the omnibus spending package last March. Last year, Shea-Porter wrote to Congressional appropriators urging full funding for FY2018 for the FAA, which includes funding for the Airport Improvement Program.
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