Huntsville International Airport has been awarded a $1.9 million state grant to build a dedicated facility for the equipment that keeps runways and other airfield surfaces operating during winter weather.
The Alabama Department of Transportation grant, awarded through the Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program, will help fund a 10,800-square-foot storage and maintenance facility for the airport’s snow and ice removal fleet.
“Maintaining our airside infrastructure and operational readiness is vital to supporting the rapid growth of our region,” Huntsville International Airport CEO Butch Roberts said. “This $1.9 million ALDOT grant allows us to build a protective facility for our essential ice and snow removal fleet and ensures that our crews can respond to weather events and airfield needs with efficiency.”
Roberts also credited State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville), chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, and ALDOT for supporting the project.
The pre-engineered metal building will include three drive-through bays and provide storage for specialized snow removal vehicles, runway sweepers and other ground maintenance equipment. It will also provide space for deicing chemicals used to clear frozen precipitation from paved surfaces.
Beyond protecting the airport’s equipment from the elements, officials said the facility will give crews better access to maintain and deploy the equipment when winter weather hits.
“If Alabama is going to stay competitive for future economic development, we must ensure our airport keeps pace with our growth,” Reynolds said. “Aviation plays a direct role in driving commerce to our state, and securing high-paying jobs across the Southeast and nationally depends on having the transportation infrastructure to support that expansion.”
Once construction begins, the project is expected to take about six months to complete.
Huntsville International Airport serves more than 1.7 million passengers annually and currently offers nonstop service to 18 destinations. The airport is an operating entity of the Port of Huntsville, which also includes the International Intermodal Center, Jetplex Industrial Park and Huntsville International Spaceport.
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