Governor signs bill to increase safety and security at seven Michigan airports
May 17, 2006 -- Aviation safety and security were enhanced today when Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed legislation to allow the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to maximize the use of state and federal money, along with $36 million in new bond proceeds, for airport safety and protection projects at Michigan public-use airports. Under the new Public Act 135 of 2006, the state will release $15 million in state funds this summer to accelerate seven projects. In 2007, the Airport Safety And Protection plan (ASAP) funds will be used in conjunction with federal and local funds to get dirt flying on seven projects. The primary sponsor of the bill was Rep. Brian Palmer (R-Romeo).
"This initiative will maximize the use of federal funds and enable MDOT to match bond proceeds with local agency dollars," said Granholm. "Michigan resident and businesses will benefit from these important safety projects. For this year alone, 270 jobs will result from this legislation."
The bill amends the airport Parking Tax Act. It allows revenue distributed from the Airport Parking Fund to the State Aeronautics Fund to be used for safety and security projects at state airports that did not receive federal funding.
"This upcoming work reflects our commitment to multi-modal transportation," said State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle. "We are pleased to help these airports advance important safety and security projects."
The seven projects were developed by eligible airports, which submitted applications for MDOT's review and approval. Construction will begin this year, on six of the seven projects, pending final approval of the Michigan Aeronautics Commission, The seventh project, Padgham Field in Allegan, will have preliminary work completed in 2006 with actual construction of the runway scheduled for 2007.
2006 Project List
--Padgham Field in Allegan will receive $2.1 million to extend a runway
--Southwest Michigan Regional Airport in Benton Harbor will receive $1.45 million to acquire land to support a runway extension
--Bishop International Airport in Flint will receive $3 million to do site work for an intermodal freight facility and to make access improvements
--Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids will receive $3.84 million to reconstruct a parallel taxiway
--Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport in Kalamazoo County will receive $2.79 million to relocate a parallel taxiway
--Manistee County-Blacker Airport in Manistee will receive $1.4 million to construct a new terminal building
--Paul C. Miller Airport in Sparta will receive $800,000 to construct a new 4,000-foot runway
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