Detroit Metro Airport Receives Additional $2.3 Million in FAA Grants for
Critical Runway Rehabilitation Work
DETROIT, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW),
Michigan's largest air transport facility and among the world's largest air
transportation hubs, has been awarded more than $2.3 million in grants by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
"Once again, we are grateful to Congressman John Dingell, as well as Senators
Levin and Stabenow, for their leadership and fierce advocacy that has brought
these critical investment dollars to Michigan," said Lester Robinson, CEO of
Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), which operates DTW. "These funds will
help Detroit Metropolitan Airport continue to modernize one of the most
powerful airfields in the world and one of Southeast Michigan's most dynamic
economic engines."
This new federal investment in DTW is comprised of two grants: a $1,250,490
contribution toward the reconstruction of crosswind Runway 9L/27R currently
underway and a $1,136,250 grant toward the preliminary design of a
reconstructed Runway 4R/22L. The latter runway, DTW's longest parallel and
primary international departure runway, is scheduled for complete
reconstruction by 2013.
"I'm pleased the Federal Aviation Administration is making this investment at
Detroit Metro Airport," said Congressman John Dingell (D-MI15). "Both of
these runways were in need of work, and I'm sure the airport authority will
use the money to do the rehabilitation and reconstruction necessary. It is my
hope that as a result of this work any unnecessary delays will be prevented
during the busy summer travel season. More importantly, this investment in the
runways will complement the world class facilities that make Detroit Metro one
of the best airports in the country."
Both new grants follow the award of $30 million in additional FAA grants
awarded to the Airport Authority in June. Half of that initial funding was
provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and
has enabled the WCAA to accelerate the reconstruction of its oldest crosswind
runway, 9L/27R, reducing the impact of construction on travelers and creating
more short-term local jobs. As many as 225 excavators, pavers, haulers,
electricians and other new construction jobs are anticipated at DTW this
summer as part of that reconstruction project.
Serving more than 35 million passengers annually, DTW is the largest airport
in Michigan and among the 20 busiest air transportation hubs in the world.
DTW serves as the second-largest hub for the world's largest airline, Delta
Air Lines, and is also home to 14 additional airlines, including several
low-cost carriers and foreign-flag carriers. With two new passenger terminals
and six jet runways, DTW one of the newest, most operationally-capable,
customer-friendly and efficient airports in North America with more than 1,200
non-stop flights per day to over 160 destinations worldwide.
SOURCE Wayne County Airport Authority
Scott Wintner, +1-734-955-3745, or Michael Conway, +1-734-942-3558, both of
DTW
