Senator Collins Announces More Than $4 Million for Maine Airports
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that two Maine airports have received $4,113,761 for infrastructure improvements.
“Just like airports around the world, Maine airports are struggling to make ends meet given the sharp downturn in passenger traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Collins. “This investment in Northern Aroostook and Lincoln Regional Airports’ infrastructure will help promote job creation while improving the safety and efficiency of operations.”
The funding was allocated as follows:
- Northern Aroostook Regional Airport received $1,998,796 to construct a taxiway and reconstruct the airport’s apron.
- Lincoln Regional received $2,114,965 to reconstruct the runway and remove obstructions.
This fifth round of fiscal year (FY) 2020 funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Senator Collins was instrumental in securing $3.75 billion for AIP, including $400 million in supplemental AIP grants, in the FY 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill that was signed into law in December. Senator Collins also co-authored a section of the CARES Act that directed $48.5 billion to support transportation and housing programs. The CARES Act allows the Federal Aviation Administration to eliminate the local share for airports, which are currently facing financial challenges.
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