INDIAN HEAD, MD – U.S Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, along with Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (all D-MD) joined U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari at Maryland Airport to announce a $2,795,664 Department of Transportation grant for phase three of runway and taxiway expansion at the Airport in Indian Head.
“The Airport at Indian Head provides an important economic and travel hub for residents and businesses in Southern Maryland,” stated Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD). “This DoT grant will provide jobs for Marylanders and important resources to expand and upgrade the airport’s runways, which will help ensure the safety of passengers and airport workers. ”
“Our regional airports play a key role in maintaining Maryland’s robust economy,” said Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee which funds DOT. “These funds in the federal checkbook for runway and taxiway expansion will help Maryland Airport operate safely and efficiently while keeping Marylanders on the go.”
“Congratulations to Maryland Airport on receiving this grant, which will support expansion of a runway and taxiway, improve the safety of the airport, and boost our economic competitiveness in Charles County,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “Making strategic investments in our infrastructure helps support the flow of local commerce and spurs economic growth and job creation in our communities. That’s why I have made investments in infrastructure a key component of the Make It In America plan, a jobs initiative I’m leading in Congress. By improving our infrastructure, we can attract new businesses to Maryland and help put more people back to work in well-paying jobs. I thank the Department of Transportation for recognizing this important investment in our community, and will continue to fight for additional funding so Maryland businesses and families can Make It In America.”
“This grant will help improve the Maryland Airport’s infrastructure and will keep aircraft – and their passengers – moving safely and efficiently through Maryland and the Washington metro area,” said Deputy Secretary Porcari. “Investments such as this not only improve safety, capacity and environmental stewardship, but economic growth as well, making this a win-win scenario for the state.”
“My father built this airport in 1944, and this expansion has been a vision of mine for 19 years. It’s going to be complete in just one more year,” said Gil Bauserman, Owner Operator of Maryland Airport. “This will be the closest General Aviation airport to Washington, DC that will accommodate businesses, and I suspect it’s going to be a boom to Southern Maryland and Southern Prince George’s County.”
Congressman Hoyer and Deputy Secretary John Porcari were joined by Charles County Commissioners Debra Davis, Rueben Collins and Ken Robinson and Charles County Chamber of Commerce President Carlos Montague at the event.
Phase three of the expansion at Maryland Airport will include grading and paving of the runway and taxiway, as well as grading to prepare for phase four of the expansion. Phase four, which is expected to be completed in 2014, includes completion of the taxiways, an apron with parking for 70 aircraft, and final grading. The new runway will be 4300 feet long with the potential to extend to 5000 feet. This project has been in progress for well over a decade, beginning in 1993. Once completed, it will improve the safety of the airport and the surrounding community by moving approach and departure routes away from the schools and other developed areas.
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