Originally published in 1998
Congress recently gave the FAA authority to establish an Innovative Finance Demonstration Program. The intent of the program is to leverage federal funds for airport development, and reduce time and costs associated with financing infrastructure development.
TxDOT submitted a grant application to the FAA and was selected as a participant on September 15, 1997. The award of $1,023,294 in discretionary funds allows TxDOT to assist airport sponsors in the funding of work items which will impact significantly on airport safety, security and all weather capability systems. The leveraging of these federal grants provides a 75% federal, 25% local match, rather than the standard 90%/10% federal/local match.
The initial projects proposed for this year include the installation of automated weather observing systems (AWOS), visual approach aids for nighttime operations and instrument weather conditions, including safety and security items to reduce the probability of runway incursions.
After soliciting individual grant applications for eligible airport owners, TxDOT received 71 requests for weather systems, visual approach aids and for airport fencing. The Aviation Division recommended a total of 32 projects to the Texas Transportation Commission for approval: 16 AWOS, 11 visual approach aids, and 5 security projects. The projects were approved on February 26, 1998 by the Commission.
An application to the FAA for the next fiscal year’s Innovative Finance Demonstration Program funding has already been submitted. More information will be forthcoming as we receive further FAA notification.
