Upstate airports win federal funding for projects, equipment

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Airports serving the Binghamton area, Ithaca, Oswego County, and areas of the North Country are recipients of federal funding for projects and equipment purchases. They’re among 16 facilities awarded a total of more than $21 million for the projects. This federal money was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) said in the announcement. The funding will help pay for projects that strengthen safety measures, modernize terminals, and enhance the passenger experience at New York’s airports.

Funding awards

The lawmakers’ announcement included a list of the airports, their funding award, and how they’ll use the money. The Oswego County Airport in Volney will use a nearly $77,000 award to reconstruct existing runway signage and rehabilitate existing runway lighting. Additionally, the money helps pay to reconstruct the precision approach path-indicator system, per the announcement. The FAA also awarded the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport more than $128,000 for new aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment, along with more than $1 million to replace existing snow-removal equipment. The Greater Binghamton Airport, located in the town of Maine in Broome County, will use $1.3 million to reconstruct 51,000 square feet of an existing terminal building and replace the electrical system and associated lighting. Additionally, an award of nearly $732,000 will help the Corning–Painted Post Airport rehabilitate 3,269 feet of existing paved runway. In the North Country, the FAA awarded Massena International Airport more than $253,000 to replace existing snow-removal equipment. In addition, Ogdensburg International Airport will use nearly $475,000 for its terminal-expansion project and more than $181,000 to conduct an airport wildlife-hazard assessment and develop a wildlife-hazard management plan. Lake Placid Airport will use an FAA funding award of more than $156,000 to reconstruct 1,100 square yards of the existing general-aviation apron pavement and fix an additional 5,600 square yards of existing general-aviation apron pavement. In addition, the facility was awarded more than $270,000 to replace existing snow-removal equipment. Also, Plattsburgh International Airport will use more than $1.1 million to purchase snow-removal equipment, Schumer and Gillibrand said.