CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR ANNOUNCES $7.6 MILLION FOR LAREDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Sep 17, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Joser Borjon,Total amount of funds awarded since 2009 exceed $44.9 million
Laredo, Texas – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) along with Mayor Raul G. Salinas and City Manager Carlos Villarreal, announced $7,632,019 for the Laredo International Airport. The amount is combined from three grants awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration.
“The substantial amount of federal dollars awarded to the Laredo International Airport proves that it is a vital transportation site for the state and country,” Congressman Cuellar said. “I congratulate the City of Laredo for this well-deserved award and I thank Mayor Salinas and City Manager Villarreal for their diligent efforts in securing these funds as we work together to attract more cargo and visitors to South Texas.”
The first grant, awarded in the amount of $6,347,019, will aid in rehabilitation of the apron, realignment of the taxiway Foxtrot and upgrade the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS). The improvements to the EMAS helps to slow an aircraft to a safe stop in the event of an overrun and also assist the airport in meeting design standards.
“Thanks to Congressman Cuellar and the continued hard work of our Laredo International Airport staff, the City of Laredo continues to receive the federal dollars it needs to update and improve our airport so that it remains competitive, safe and a good neighbor in our community,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas. “The combined $7.6 million in grants will increase safety for not only the airplanes and passengers arriving at the airport, but also, for the residents and buildings around the facility.”
The second grant, in the amount of $1,000,000 provides noise mitigation measures to be taken as outlined in the airport’s Noise Compatibility Plan, with the goal of reducing aircraft noise for residents in communities near and around the airport. Approximately 588 residents are predicted to experience noise reduction due to the technological advancements.
The third grant, in the amount of $285,000 will allow the airport to conduct a noise study to identify existing and future noise contours. Since 2009, the Laredo International Airport has received $44.9 million in federal funds for improvements.
