$3.5M Lancaster Airport Stimulus Project Could Start In July

LANCASTER, Pa. --

The Lancaster Airport is getting $3.5 million in federal stimulus to upgrade its taxi way, which was built in 1935.

In addition to brining the taxi way up to code, the project will add another feature. The airport has ended the bidding for the project and is expected to pick a contractor by June 8.

In addition to brining the taxi way up to code, the project will add another feature.

The airport's director said that feature will help pilots save money by saving fuel.

"This is going to have a little bit of what they call a run up pad. An area that the student, that's a little slower, can pull over sort of off to the side. Aircraft can pass that are ready to go. So, that's a nicety," said David Eberly.

The reconstruction project could start at the beginning of July.

Other Pa. Airports Also Get Stimulus Funds

Lancaster Airport was built in 1935. Lancaster Airport is one of four in Pennsylvania dividing $10.5 million in stimulus money. Most of the money will go to runway improvements.

Gov. Ed Rendell and other officials attended as U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed a $5 million check in April for Philadelphia International Airport. Repaving Philadelphia International Airport's longest runway, a two-mile strip, with blacktop is expected to create nearly 300 jobs.

Elsewhere -- Northeast Philadelphia Airport gets $1 million and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport will get $1 million.

FAA Allocates $1B In Stimulus Funds

About 3,400 airports designated as part of the national airport system are eligible to receive stimulus funds, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the FAA received $1 billion to allocate to qualified airports on a discretionary basis.

The funding will be allocated based on a project priority system that addresses airport safety and security, infrastructure, runway safety, increased capacity, and mitigation of environmental impacts. The Recovery Act also requires that 50 percent of the funds be obligated within 120 days, which is June 17, 2009.

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