Senator Collins Announces $545,000 for Airports in Eastport and Wiscasset

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that two Maine airports have been awarded a total of $545,000.  This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). 

“Just like airports around the world, Maine airports are struggling to make ends meet given the sharp downturn in passenger traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Collins. “These investments in Maine’s airport infrastructure will help promote job creation while improving the safety and efficiency of operations.”

As the Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins was instrumental in securing $3.75 billion for AIP, including $400 million in supplemental AIP grants, in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill that was signed into law in December.  Senator Collins also co-authored a section of the CARES Act that directed $48.5 billion to support transportation and housing programs. The CARES Act allows the Federal Aviation Administration to eliminate the local share for airports, which are currently facing financial challenges.

The funding was allocated as follows:

• Eastport Municipal Airport will receive $345,000 to reconstruct more than 4,000 feet of an existing runway and install 800 feet of drainage improvements necessary to adequately handle storm water runoff.

• Wiscasset Municipal Airport will receive $200,000 for sealing and crack repair to 18,000 square yards of the existing terminal and based aircraft apron surface to extend the pavement's useful life.

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