VTrans file photo of airplane taking off from Franklin County State Airport.
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has been awarded a grant from the US Department of Transportation for more than $2 million for the reconstruction of the runway at the Franklin County State Airport.
The $2,222,222 grant is part of the FY20 Supplemental Appropriation for the Airport Improvement Program administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The funds will enable AOT to reconstruct and widen the runway at the state airport in Highgate. The current infrastructure has reached its design life and requires reconstruction.
“Federal investment in Vermont’s aviation infrastructure is important for helping to grow our state’s economy. Our airports have great potential to be economic hubs for their local communities, and investing in Franklin County State Airport’s runway will improve safety and create new opportunities for business,” said Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Leahy worked to make billions of dollars for the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program available to invest in the nation’s airports.
AOT will rebuild the existing 3000-foot runway and widen it from 60 feet to 75 feet to improve public safety and bring the airport into compliance with current FAA guidelines. The enhancements will also improve eligibility opportunities for future FAA funding at the airport.
“This federal funding will help tremendously as Vermont continues to modernize its State airports as an integral part of the statewide transportation system and economy,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “Our congressional delegation is doing great work to support Vermont’s aviation infrastructure, for which we are very thankful.”
In recent years, the FAA has upgraded its design guidance for airport configuration and layout. Since the existing runway was built, FAA requirements and criteria have been updated and continued to evolve. AOT’s design will focus on incorporating this new technology and improvement strategies. There are also stricter current criteria for runway approaches and departures regarding tree heights, terrain heights, and building heights. This project will remove all current obstructions and protect the runway airspace from future obstructions.
Source: Barre, Vt. – Vermont Agency of Transportation 5.12.2020