Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Monday, September 8, 2003

ST. LOUIS, MO – Senator Kit Bond today joined Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis to announce $26 million in federal funds for airport improvements.

"Missouri airports are crucial to our state's future economic success," said Bond, a strong advocate for building and improving transportation infrastructure in Missouri and nation-wide. "These dollars will fund important improvements, allowing our airports to provide safer and more efficient air service."

Missouri will receive $26 million as part of the Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The following projects will be funded:

* St. Louis - $10 million for runway improvements;

* Kennett - $2.5 million for construction of a new runway, phase 2;

* Washington - $3.29 million to acquire land to construct a runway and connecting taxiways, phase 2;

* State of Missouri - $10.5 million will be used for airport planning, environmental documentation, land acquisition, airfield pavement rehabilitation/maintenance, navigational aids, airfield lighting, runway/taxiway safety area improvements and new airfield construction at various airports in the state.

In addition to the $26 million in AIP funds, Bond announced that last week he secured more an additional $1.2 million for air traffic control facilities at Lambert International in St. Louis. Bond secured these funds in one of the 13 federal spending bills for fiscal year 2004. The legislation must still be approved by the full Senate and approved by the House of Representatives before becoming law with the President's signature.

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service in his third term in the United States Senate.