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Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has been notified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that the American Samoa Department of Port Administration (DPA) has been approved for two federal grants totaling $1.7 million. Funded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), one grant in the amount of $1.3 million is to construct an aircraft parking apron at the Ofu Airport while another in the amount of $400,000 is to update the Ofu Airport master study plan.
“I want to thank the Secretary of Transportation, the Honorable Ray LaHood, for recognizing the need to improve air transportation system in American Samoa. In addition, I want to acknowledge Mr. Ron V. Simpson and the USDOT regional office in Hawaii for their continued assistance and help,” Faleomavaega said.
“I also want to commend the Director of the American Samoa Department of Port Administration, Mr. Matagi Ray McMoore and the whole department for their efforts to maintain safe and efficient air transportation in the territory. Securing federal grants under the AIP program is testament to all their hard work,” Faleomavaega added.
Established by Congress in 1982 (Pub. L. 97-248, Title V), the AIP program provides federal funding to carry out eligible projects for the improvement of public-use airport. The goal of the program is for all eligible airports in the nationwide system to meet the present and future needs of civil aeronautics. To meet this challenge, the Secretary of the USDOT is authorized to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to assist in eligible projects, which may include the construction or rehabilitation of airport runway; construction or rehabilitation of airport taxiway; or the construction of an aircraft parking apron. Application to receive funding is reviewed by the FAA and awards are apportioned based on set national priorities and objectives.
“Enhancing our local transportation system is a pressing need and I am pleased that the federal government continues to do its share and provide funding to meet this challenge. These federal grants will go a long way to help bring much needed improvement to the Ofu Airport and support for air transportation to the Manu’a Islands,” Faleomavaega concluded. |
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