FAA shutdown won't affect Port of Portland projects

Airport construction projects around the country have been put on hold this week after Congress failed to pass a new funding reauthorization for the Federal Aviation Administration before it expired. However, projects in the Port of Portland will not be affected, according to Port spokeswoman Kara Simonds.

The FAA's $16 billion budget was held up because of a disagreement between parties about a $16 million subsidy program for rural airports. The administration's last reauthorization ran out when Congress had not yet passed a budget before adjourning for the weekend. About 4,000 FAA employees face temporary unemployment and a number of construction projects will be stalled as they await funding.

The furloughs won't affect FAA-funded projects at the Port of Portland, however, according to Simonds.

"At this point we don't anticipate any delays," Simonds said.

The port is currently managing two projects funded by FAA grants: reconstruction of south runway at Portland Airport and construction of taxiway D at Hillsboro Airport. Both projects are already under way and are drawing FAA grant funds from accounts to which money has already been allocated, Simonds said. Because the projects aren't waiting on FAA money, they won't be delayed.

The FAA's Airport Improvement Program will process new airport grants while the administration is in limbo, however, as many of the administrative staff are furloughed, according to a statement released by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday. Projects that have not yet had funding allocated will be delayed until a new FAA budget is passed.