WASHINGTON –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, D-MD, today toured the Hagerstown Regional-Richard Henson Field to view the on-going runway improvement project.
He also joined with
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski in announcing a new Department of Transportation (DOT) grant of $2.9 million to realign and move one of the airport’s major taxiways.
The new funding will be used to realign and move a taxiway used primarily by the airport’s business development park.
The new funding will also be used to ensure the taxiway meets new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grade criteria for design and safety.
“Hagerstown Regional Airport is an important economic engine for Washington County and for the entire Western Maryland region,” said Senator Cardin, who is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
“It produces $70 million annually for the local economy, and more than 1,000 jobs.
I am committed to ensuring the airport gets the funding it needs to be in compliance with FAA standards.”
“
Our regional airports play a key role in maintaining Maryland’s robust economy,” said Mikulski.
“The Hagerstown Regional Airport is critical to keeping Western Maryland’s economy moving.
I will continue to fight to keep Marylanders on the go and for a federal investment in our Western Maryland communities.”
In June, Senators Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski announced $7.3 million in DOT funding to extend the main runway from 5,461 feet to 7,000 feet, with an additional 1,000 feet of runway overrun added to each end of the runway to comply with FAA standards.
The runway improvement project is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2007.
Senators Cardin and Mikulski last week introduced legislation that would require AirMidwest/MESA to maintain service to the Hagerstown airport until an alternative carrier can be identified or until Jan. 1, 2008.
AirMidwest/MESA is scheduled to stop service to the Hagerstown Regional airport on Sept. 30, 2007.
The Hagerstown Regional Airport is one of the oldest continually operated airports in the country, operating without interruption since 1928.
The airport serves all aviation markets, general aviation, business, military and commercial.
