Printer-friendly Version

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 22, 2005

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $527,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS HEADED TO ITHACA TOMPKINS REGIONAL AIRPORT

Federal grant will help the airport extend the taxiway, remove obstructions, and acquire friction measuring equipment

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport has been awarded over $527,000 in federal funds for the airport to extend its runway, remove obstructions, and acquire friction measuring equipment. The funds are being awarded as a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“This is great news for the entire Finger Lakes region," said Schumer. "The Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport welcomes travelers to New York each year, and these improvements are important for strengthening the local economy. I will continue to fight for federal funds to help the airport remain a thriving center of activity and a hub for economic growth in the region."

This project will provide federal funds to perform an environmental assessment, which is necessary for the removal of obstructions that have been found to penetrate Part 77 surfaces. This funding will also help the airport to acquire friction measuring equipment needed to measure and provide skid resistance data for the airfield and perform engineering design for the extension and the relocation of Taxiway A, enabling it to be in compliance with FAA requirements.

# # #