Mineta Announces $43M Pledge for Funding to Myrtle Beach Airport

RDATE:28022006

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced plans to spend $43 million over the next eight years to help Myrtle Beach International Airport pay for construction of an apron and new taxiways supporting the new terminal to handle growing business and attract new customers.

The investment will allow the airport to accommodate up to 14 new gates by 2022 needed in anticipation of an increase in traffic at Myrtle Beach, Mineta said.

He noted that improving capacity at smaller airports is vital to serving the increased number of travelers and businesses coming to the area.

Our airport investment strategy must include smaller facilities that are starting to see more traffic, Mineta said.

The Secretary also said the first installment of $4 million would be available later this year.

Myrtle Beach International Airport is one of the faster growing airports in the south handling over 785,000 passengers in 2005, an increase of almost 20,000 passengers from 2004, he said.

Todays announcement for Myrtle Beach International Airport is one of four financing pledges Mineta has unveiled in the past few months. The remaining three include over $337 million for expansion at Chicago OHare International Airport, $200 million for a new runway at Washington Dulles International in Virginia, and $26 million for a new taxiway at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Georgia.

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])).