WASHINGTON -- Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) announced today that Virginia has received nearly $5.5 million in grants to upgrade runways and purchase safety equipment at seven regional airports in Virginia. The U.S. Department of Transportation grants are for use in projects intended to enhance safety and bring airports up to Federal Aviation Administration standards. The projects include renovating runways and, in some cases, purchasing new firefighting or snow removal equipment.

“Regional airports provide valuable services, particularly in rural parts of the state,” said Senator Webb. “This funding will ensure that regional airports in Virginia maintain proper safety standards.”

“These grants will help upgrade safety for passengers and airport workers at seven of our smaller regional airports across Virginia,” Senator Warner said. “These projects and purchases will create jobs but, more importantly, we are helping to invest in the longer-term safety and economic vitality of our airports.”

Projects and amounts are listed below:

Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport - $3,164,139. This $3.1 million grant will provide funds to extend the runway and safety area embankment, bringing the safety area up to FAA standards.

Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport - $570,000 and $427,500. A grant of $570,000 will fund the construction of an Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) Building. The existing building cannot adequately house modern ARFF vehicles. A second grant of $427,500 will fund the acquisition of a new snow broom. Existing snow removal equipment has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement.

Hanover County Municipal Airport - $385,400. This grant will be used to acquire land for approaches and construction of a partial parallel taxiway.

Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs - $289,054. This grant will provide federal funds to remove obstructions, primarily trees, from primary, approach and transitional surface areas.

Emporia-Greensville Regional Airport - $199,682. This grant will provide federal funds to conduct an environmental assessment required as part of a runway rehabilitation project.

Louisa County/Freeman Field Airport - $190,000. This grant will provide federal funding for the design phase to restore runway pavement quality, which will enhance safety on the airfield.

Luray Caverns Airport - $177,326. This grant will provide federal funding to acquire land needed to remove unnecessary obstructions in an area adjacent to the runway.

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