PGD Awarded $14.7 Million Federal Grant
PUNTA GORDA, FL (Sept. 3, 2021) – The Charlotte County Airport Authority will be receiving $14,761,954 in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Runway 4-22. At 7,193 feet long, it is the longest of PGD’s three runways and is the primary runway used by commercial airliners.
The runway was constructed in the 1940s and has endured decades of takeoffs and landings, so the center portion of the runway must be removed and reconstructed along its entire length. The remaining portion of the runway will be milled and resurfaced. Both portions of the runway will be paved with asphalt, grooved and painted with runway markings. New blast pads will also be constructed at each end of the runway, and new energy-efficient lighting will be installed.
Runway 4-22 will be closed for construction in January 2022 for approximately one year. During that time, all commercial airliners will use Runway 15-33 for takeoffs and landings, while smaller aircraft can continue to use Runway 9-27, PGD’s shortest runway.
During the year that 4-22 is closed, some local residents will see the flight patterns change. “While most people may not even notice, our neighbors directly north and south of Runway 15-33 will see more activity in 2022,” said PGD’s CEO James W. Parish. “We ask for our neighbors’ patience and understanding as we complete this necessary project.”
Runway 4-22’s rehabilitation is essential to meet the continued demands of commercial air service and keep runway pavements form rapidly deteriorating. When the rehabilitation is completed, Runway 4-22 will meet or exceed the FAA and FDOT standards for pavement conditions, safety and usability.
The Airport Authority is receiving the grant from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which funds airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airfield signage, lighting, and markings. “We are very appreciative of this grant and for the ongoing support of Congressman Steube, Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Rick Scott,” said Parish.
The AIP fund draws support from aviation user fees, passenger tickets and aircraft fuel taxes. Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year based on passenger volume. This $14.7 million grant includes available entitlement funds and additional discretionary funding supplemented by the FAA.
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