CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $8 MILLION FOR LAREDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Aug 11, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Eddie Zavala,
Total federal funds awarded within the last 18 months exceed $36 million
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Henry Cuellar, TX-28, today announced that the Laredo International Airport has been awarded $8,074,107 from the Department of Transportation. These funds come from the Federal Aviation Administration through their Airport Improvement Program (AIP), a discretionary competitive grant program.
The funds will specifically be used for the Runway 17R-35L Extension project that will extend the airport’s only Instrument Landing System (ILS)-equipped runway by 911 feet, bringing the total length to 8,622 feet.
With this funding, the Laredo International Airport has received an unprecedented total of $36.474 million in federal funds within the last 18 months.
“This large infusion of federal dollars is indicative of the important role the Laredo International Airport plays in this part of the state and in the country,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I congratulate Mayor Raul Salinas, Airport Director Jose Luis Flores, and Council Members for always actively seeking federal funds to improve the airport.”
The runway extension is designed to support large commercial and air cargo aircraft, such as the Boeing B-767 on long-haul domestic and international flights.
Other project elements include reconstruction of a portion of Taxiway A to increase its weight-bearing capacity, relocation of the ILS Glide Slope, drainage and grading improvements, airfield lighting, and signage improvements. Environmental controls for construction impacts are included in the project to comply with federal, state, and local requirements.
The Laredo International Airport and City of Laredo staff has been coordinating the construction of this project with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for over one year to help minimize air traffic delays due to construction activities and navigational aid outages.
