The N.C. Board of Transportation has approved state and federal funds for much-needed improvements to 24 North Carolina airports, including several in our local area.
The $24.7 million in funding, approved by the board, will be used to provide improvements such as better runway lighting, new fuel tanks and safer taxiways.
The projects the N.C. Board of Transportation approved include:
$1,269,176 to prepare the site for a future Fixed based Operation and maintenance facility, and $325,800 to update the airport layout plan at Johnston County Airport.
$526,000 to rehabilitate pavement at the aircraft apron in the Fixed Base Operation area at Clinton-Sampson County Airport.
$180,000 to update the airport layout plan at Duplin County Airport.
$209,000 for design of a full parallel taxiway at Mount Olive Municipal Airport.
$1,521,000 to rehabilitate airfield lighting at Triangle North Executive Airport (Louisburg).
$326,785 to reimburse for land purchased and $2,922,750 for future construction of four new hangars and construction of a new apron and taxiway at Wayne Executive Jetport.
North Carolina airports serve as a vital economic engine connecting people and business enterprises with the world. They are among the primary economic drivers in their local communities.
Airports and aviation-related industries contribute more than $31 billion to North Carolina’s economy each year, according to a 2016 report. There are 123,400 airport-related jobs in the state. The NCDOT Division of Aviation is responsible for airport and aviation system planning and development, and provides funding to local communities for constructing and improving airports throughout the state.
The funds awarded do not in all cases represent the total cost of the project.
