DOT 56-04
Contact: Bill Mosley
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Tel.: (202) 366-5582

U.S. Department of Transportation Delivers $10 Million for Eugene Airport – Largest Federal Grant Ever for Eugene

EUGENE, OR — Eugene Airport will get more help from the Bush Administration in paying for its new runway thanks to nearly $10 million in grants awarded today. The money will help fund construction of a new runway that runs parallel to an existing runway resulting in a safer and more efficient flying experience for air travelers.

U.S. Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Emil Frankel was joined by Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey, Airport Manager Robert Noble and Eugene Airport Advisory Committee Chair Vaden Francisco, Jr. for a tour of the terminal facilities, runway and other aspects of the airport’s multi-million-dollar expansion project. The federal government has awarded Eugene Airport a total of $42 million in airport improvement grants since 1982.

“Today’s federal grant, the largest ever received by Eugene Airport from the federal Airport Improvement Program, will help the airport prepare for future development, in addition to providing residents a first-rate airport,” Assistant Secretary Frankel said.

“The impact of this grant money will send a positive economic tremor throughout the region,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said.

Construction of Eugene Airport’s new runway, supported by $9.2 million of the grant funds, will help the airport enhance operational efficiency by allowing two aircraft to land or take off at the same time, preventing runway incursions. The runway is expected to be completed by late 2005.

A $647,100 grant will be used to rehabilitate several taxiways to extend the life of the pavement. Another $108,000 grant will help to buy land to relocate the existing airport access road farther from the new runway. And $54,000 will be used to enhance facility security by tightening access to controlled areas.

The $10 million funding award is provided through the Airport Improvement Program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration, which supports the nation’s airport infrastructure by providing grants for capital improvements.

Briefing Room