Transportation Cabinet
Governor Beshear announces more than $3 million in FAA grants for needed improvements at two Kentucky airports

Blue Grass Airport and Wayne County Airport among recipients

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2012) – Gov. Steve Beshear today announced more than $3 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund necessary projects for two Kentucky airports.  The grants will fund various projects including a runway obstruction study, project reimbursement costs and fuel tank replacement and relocation.

“Across the Commonwealth, our airports are invaluable assets for economic development, commerce and passenger travel,” Gov. Beshear said. “Keeping our airports safe and up to date is vital to our economy and quality of life, and FAA funding is indispensable for that purpose.”

The FAA grants, which total $3,122,487, include:

• Blue Grass Airport (Lexington) – $2,748,727 to reimburse construction costs for the new Runway 09/27, which replaces Runway 08/26.  The grant will fund the design and construction for the widening of Taxiway F from 50 feet to 75 feet to meet FAA design standards. 

• Wayne County Airport (Monticello) – $373,760 to relocate the existing fuel tanks between the terminal building and aircraft parking area. The relocation includes replacing one of the fuel tanks that has reached its useful life. The project will alleviate aircraft ground movement congestion during refueling operations. 

The grant will also fund a runway obstruction study to identify obstructions in the Runway 03/21 approach and provide an estimated cost for future mitigation.

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