State approves funding for Corridor airport projects

AMES - The Iowa Transportation Commission on Tuesday approved $5.9 million worth of projects for the State Aviation Program for fiscal year 2014, including projects totaling $430,000 at The Eastern Iowa Airport and $295,000 at the Iowa City Municipal Airport.

The funding will go toward development projects, aviation safety, maintenance and infrastructure improvements at Iowa airports.

Corridor projects include:

• The Eastern Iowa Airport - A $100,000 pavement maintenance project, with a $70,000 state share. A $330,000 project to replace roofs on four buildings, with a $311,190 state share.

• Iowa City Municipal Airport - A $66,000 pavement maintenance, crack and joint seal project, with a $46,200 state share. A $116,000  taxiway lighting installation project, with a $98,600 state share. A $113,000 south taxiway rehabilitation project, with a $96,050 state share

• Vinton Veterans Memorial Airport - A $82,590 project to construct an approach to a new hangar, with a $70,202 state share.

Overall, the commission approved $3.6 million worth of projects addressing aviation safety and airport development projects and $2.3 million worth of projects for maintenance and development of airport facilities, such as terminal buildings, maintenance facilities and aviation hangars.

“Aviation plays a key role in supporting economic activity in Iowa by delivering an estimated $18 billion impact to Iowa's economy," said said Iowa DOT's Office of Aviation Director Michelle McEnany in a news release.  "The State Aviation Program is essential to maintaining the safety and effectiveness of air transportation in Iowa.”