ALDOT awards grants to support improvements at local airports

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $125,000 in state grants to support improvement projects at seven local airports.

“Local airports are critical to connecting our communities and supporting Alabama’s economy,” said Frank Farmer, bureau chief of ALDOT’s Aeronautics Bureau. “This funding helps strengthen infrastructure, improve safety and support essential air services in all parts of the state.”

The grants are part of ALDOT’s Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program, which provides financial assistance and technical support to public-use airports across the state. Eligible projects may include land acquisition, runway upgrades, facility repairs, maintenance and operational improvements.

The grant recipients:

• Cullman Regional Airport-Folsom Field: sponsor, City of Cullman; project, Reseal terminal apron and construct midfield taxiway – Phase 3; state funds, $10,873; airports sponsor funds, $10,873; FAA funds, $413,179; total – $434,925.
• Haleyville Airport–Posey Field: City of Haleyville; Remove obstructions at runway 18 and 36; $7,435; $7,435; $282,530; $297,400.
• Hartselle-Morgan County Regional Airport: City of Hartselle; Reseal runways 18 and 36 and apron – Phase 1 and 2; $11,150; $11,150; $432,700; $446,000.
• Huntsville Executive Airport – Tom Sharp Jr. Field: Madison County Executive Airport Authority; Reconstruct GA north apron and extend east/west drainage culverts; $30,012; $30,012; $1,140,501; $1,200,525.
• Northwest Alabama Regional Airport: Northwest Alabama Regional Airport Authority; Runway 12 and safety construction; $21,765; $21,766; $827,085; $870,616.
• Pryor Field Regional Airport: Pryor Field Regional Airport; Construct apron for northwest hangar development – Phase 1; $32,217; $32,218; $1,224,271; $1,288,706.
• Russellville Municipal Airport: City of Russellville; Reseal main apron and install precision approach path indicator system; $11,982; $11,983; $455,335; $479,300.

These grants reflect ALDOT’s continued investment in the state’s air transportation system, which supports emergency response, commerce, tourism and more, ALDOT said in a news release.

The Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program was established to assist airport owners with the planning, construction and maintenance of aviation facilities. ALDOT may also provide engineering and technical support as needed for approved projects.