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State OKs funding for Iowa airport projects(Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids, IA) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jul. 16--At a time when the airline industry is struggling with soaring fuel costs, airports across Iowa on Tuesday were awarded state funding for a variety of construction projects. The Iowa Transportation Commission approved $4.5 million in funding for commercial aviation, general aviation and airport improvements. The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids received $317,526 to help pay for $2,871,920 of renovation to the upper level of the passenger terminal. Airport Director Dan Mann said the project will involve a total face-lift for the C concourse, including mechanical systems (heating and air-conditioning), seating, lights, wall coverings, ceiling tile replacement, upgraded bathrooms and other improvements. "That grant is really instrumental for us getting the C concourse done, especially as we look at the trying times the airlines are having right now," Mann said. "This allows us to do that project without having to tap into our operating reserve accounts or safety net." The Iowa Transportation Commission also approved $72,250 of airfield and security project funding for the $85,000 reconstruction of the airfield pavement near the cargo building at The Eastern Iowa Airport. "That is something that we have never received before, so that is very good news," Mann said. "This pavement was something that we were going to fund out of our operating reserve or safety net. "This helps us keep that money in reserve for a rainy day or if things slip in the aviation industry." Mann said the pavement is starting to break up and has been removed from service. The Iowa City Municipal Airport was approved for $200,000 in general aviation funding to help pay for construction of a new $633,500 hangar. The airport also will receive $42,440 of airfield and security project funding to help pay for the $106,100 projected construction cost of a taxiway to the new hangar. Other Eastern Iowa airports receiving state funding for projects were: --Belle Plaine Municipal Airport -- $21,250 to install an automated gate. Total project ed cost: $25,000. --Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (Burlington) -- $96,738 to construction hangars. Total project cost: $120,000. --Decorah Municipal Airport -- $21,250 to install apron area lighting and grade and shape sides of runway safety area. Total project cost: $25,000. --Dubuque Regional Airport -- $111,471 for designing utility improvements for a proposed new terminal and enhancing services to existing facilities; constructing a commercial grade aircraft storage hangar. Total project cost: $2,933,800. --Monticello Municipal Airport -- $6,000 to replace a hangar door. Total projected cost: $8,000; $9,687 to relocate a fuel tank. Total projected cost: $12,917. --Waterloo Regional Airport -- $106,181 to renovate a maintenance hangar and rehabilitate a maintenance building and hangars. Total project cost: $106,181. -- Contact the writer: (319) 398-8366 or [email protected] To see more of The Gazette, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.gazetteonline.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |