Airport Grant Program Approved
On August 26, 1998, the Texas Transportation Commission approved the TxDOT Aviation Facilities Grant Program for Fiscal Year 1999 which will provide funding for airport improvement projects at 40 communities across the state. Most of the grant requests approved by the Commission were for airport planning or engineering design for future construction projects. As the design for each individual project is completed, a follow-up request will be made to the Commission for approval of the actual construction funding. Total grant funding for FY99 is expected to be between $37 million and $40 million; which includes $15 million in state funding and $22 million to $25 million in federal funding, depending upon the level of funding authorized by Congress. It is anticipated that Congress will pass legislation authorizing FY99 funding prior to October 1.
Increase In Funding for Routine Airport Maintenance
On August 29, 1996, the Texas Transportation Commission authorized a new program, the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP), to provide financial and technical assistance to communities to assist in preserving the investment being made in local airports. Beginning September 1, 1996, the Department provided, to each community that wished to participate in the program, a grant of up to $10,000 per year for routine maintenance on a SO/SO matching basis. District field personnel were also made available to provide recommendations as to what type of maintenance work was needed. Due to the success of the program, the high priority that TxDOT places on maintenance, and the fact that maintenance work frequently exceeds the $20,000 combined state/local funding; the Commission recently approved an increase in state funding up to $20,000 per airport per year for routine airport maintenance beginning September 1, 1998. This effectively doubles the amount of maintenance funds available for individual airports. In addition, the program has been given more flexibility as to eligible work items and in how the work is accomplished. If you would like more details on any aspect of RAMP call Karon Wiedemann in our office at 1/800-68-PILOT.