Congressman Salazar announces $13.5 million grant for improvements to Garfield County Regional Airport

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar announced that $13.5 million in federal funding has been allocated to upgrade the runway at Garfield County Regional Airport.

The airport is currently in the second year of a three year project that will upgrade the runway safety area to better accommodate jet aircraft utilizing the mountain airport.

Some of the improvements include expanding the safety area around the runway from 300 feet to 500 feet, new aircraft instrument approaches from the east and west and reducing the slope of the runway by lowering the east end approximately seven feet and raising the west end approximately fourteen feet. This will reduce the slope to less that 1 percent across the entire 7,000 foot runway. This year’s work includes moving an estimated 1.8 million cubic yards of dirt and gravel into to the new safety area, at some locations constructing embankments over 60 feet high.

Congressman Salazar offered the following comment on these airport improvements,

“I’m glad this funding will enable the Garfield County Regional Airport to prepare for the future and expand its ability to provide safe and efficient air service for pilots and residents in and around Garfield County,” said Congressman Salazar. “I am proud to have supported these efforts and I will continue to work to provide necessary funding for projects that will improve our infrastructure and strengthen our economy.”

On the runway project, Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert offered the following comment:

“The expansion of the Garfield County Airport is a boon to communities such as Rifle, both to address our transportation needs and for economic development. Congressman Salazar has taken the lead in achieving that overall goal for the area and we’re grateful for all that he’s done.”

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	For immediate release: June 2, 2009
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director Contact: (202) 536-6190 Edward Stern, Deputy Press Secretary
	Congressman Salazar announces $13.5 million grant for improvements to Garfield County Regional Airport
	WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar announced that $13.5 million in federal funding has been allocated to upgrade the runway at Garfield County Regional Airport. The airport is currently in the second year of a three year project that will upgrade the runway safety area to better accommodate jet aircraft utilizing the mountain airport. Some of the improvements include expanding the safety area around the runway from 300 feet to 500 feet, new aircraft instrument approaches from the east and west and reducing the slope of the runway by lowering the east end approximately seven feet and raising the west end approximately fourteen feet. This will reduce the slope to less that 1 percent across the entire 7,000 foot runway. This year’s work includes moving an estimated 1.8 million cubic yards of dirt and gravel into to the new safety area, at some locations constructing embankments over 60 feet high. Congressman Salazar offered the following comment on these airport improvements, “I’m glad this funding will enable the Garfield County Regional Airport to prepare for the future and expand its ability to provide safe and efficient air service for pilots and residents in and around Garfield County,” said Congressman Salazar. “I am proud to have supported these efforts and I will continue to work to provide necessary funding for projects that will improve our infrastructure and strengthen our economy.” On the runway project, Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert offered the following comment: “The expansion of the Garfield County Airport is a boon to communities such as Rifle, both to address our transportation needs and for economic development. Congressman Salazar has taken the lead in achieving that overall goal for the area and we’re grateful for all that he’s done.” ###
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