The Cyril E. King Airport on St Thomas will receive $2.1 million to fund Runway Safety Area improvements and reconstruct aircraft parking aprons. Photo: Flickr/File

The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St Croix will receive $639,000 to fund the reconstruction of aircraft parking aprons and rehabilitation of runway lighting. Photo: wikipedia

US Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today, September 30, 2019, announced that the Department will award $157 million in airport infrastructure grants to 34 airports in 19 states, plus the US Virgin Islands. This is the sixth allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States.

“Infrastructure projects funded by these grants will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities,” said US Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Cyril E. King & Henry E. Rohlsen airports to benefit

The Cyril E. King Airport on St Thomas will receive $2.1 million to fund Runway Safety Area improvements and reconstruct aircraft parking aprons.

The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St Croix will receive $639,000 to fund the reconstruction of aircraft parking aprons and rehabilitation of runway lighting.

Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, noise mitigation, emissions reduction, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increase the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities, and capacity, and could support further economic growth and development within each airport’s region.

US airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.