CONGRESSMAN
COLLIN C. PETERSON
Minnesota - 7th District
http://www.house.gov/collinpeterson/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 16, 2000
CONTACT: Bill Black 202/225-2165
Peterson
Announces St.Cloud Airport Funding
(Washington,
DC) - Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) today
announced the awarding of funds to begin major improvements at St. Cloud
Regional Airport.
The U.S. Department of Transportation approved St. Cloud’s request
for a grant totaling $5,836,500 to be spent on the first phase of the
airport’s planned runway reconstruction and expansion.
“On
the federal side, this is the final step for phase I,” said Peterson.
“The money is on its way to St. Cloud, so the equipment and cement trucks
should be able to start rolling soon.”
Phase
I of the airport’s planned three-year expansion includes rehabilitating
the taxiway adjacent to the primary runway so that it can be used as a
temporary runway while reconstruction of the main runway is underway.
Various improvements related to use of the temporary runway are also
covered under the grant.
“This
starts the ball rolling for creating a longer, wider runway at St. Cloud
which is absolutely necessary for the growing passenger and cargo
transportation needs of the area,” said Peterson. “St. Cloud is
recognized as one of the most livable cities in the country and deserves air
service to match.
I will continue working with
airport management, the
City,
the Area Planning Organization and the Central Minnesota Transportation
Alliance to
see to that.”
Authority
for nationwide airport improvement funding comes from last year’s federal
legislation, called “AIR-21,” which opened aviation trust funds created
by airport user fees.
Peterson supported the legislation granting all airports a portion of
the federal money and extra funding to some based on priorities set at the
state level.
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