Christie Administration announces $2.2 million in grants for airport safety and improvements
Eight public use airports to receive funding
(Trenton) - NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson today met with officials at Princeton Airport to announce nine grants that will provide almost $2.2 million in state funding for projects that enhance safety, promote state-of-good repair or advance studies for potential improvements at eight of New Jersey’s general aviation airports.
“Our public use airports fill an important niche in New Jersey’s vast and varied transportation network,” Simpson said. “Public use airports provide a recreational option for residents as well as convenience and mobility for businesses and their clients. Support of these facilities through state and federal grants helps promote economic growth.”
New Jersey’s airport system is one of the most complex in the nation. The state’s airports range in size from small public use airports with turf runways to Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest commercial airports. There are 44 public-use airports in New Jersey, 25 of which are privately owned. New Jersey is also home to 319 heliports or helistops, including 35 at hospitals.
The Department is permitted to provide grants to publicly owned and privately owned public-use airports and heliports. The nine grants announced today will support $5.4 million in improvement projects at eight airports. The Federal Aviation Administration is providing $3 million in grant fund, with the state providing nearly $2.2 million. The airport owners are contributing $189,000 toward the cost of the projects.
Princeton Airport is a privately-owned general aviation airport that supports a variety of users and activities handling over 39,000 operations annually. It houses 138 aircraft and 10 helicopters.
A $285,000 state grant will support a project to replace a fueling system at Princeton Airport. “This grant will enable us to replace an aging fueling system with a new and safer system,” said Princeton Airport Manager Ken Nierenberg.
Funding for the grants announced today is from the Fiscal Year 2011 and FY 2012 Airport Improvement Program.
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