Two West Virginia airports recently received $18 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for runway improvements and rehabilitation.
The funding is part of a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill. A total of $1 billion was set aside for airport discretionary grants for small and rural airports, and $3.3 billion was allocated to the Airport Improvement Program.
“I was pleased to see that Charleston received funding in the first round, and I am glad that DOT has decided to release the second round of funds so we can invest in infrastructure in the Tri-State and Mid-Ohio Valley airports,” Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) said.
Tri-State Airport, three miles south of Huntington, received $10 million. The airport handles air cargo, general aviation, commercial airline, and military traffic.
Funds will be used for phase 1 of a runway project to keep the airport in compliance with federal and state aviation standards.
Work is expected to begin in February or March and be completed next summer.
Mid-Ohio Valley Airport in Parkersburg received $8 million and will use the funds to repair its runway.
The project will be put out for bid before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30, and work will probably begin next spring.