Congressman Steven C. Latourette - Representing the People of the 14th Congressional District of Ohio
Date:  September 15, 2004
 

Cleveland Hopkins and Akron-Canton airports get federal help in FY 2005 Transportation Appropriations Bill
 
 
(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Concord) today announced that Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will receive $2,025,000 to replace its aging air traffic control tower as part of the $89.9 billion bill that funds the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Transportation, the Treasury Department and several other agencies.

The House is expected to complete consideration of the appropriations bill, H.R. 5025, next week.

LaTourette said the bill contains $112,700,000 to replace aging air traffic control towers and singles out 37 airports to receive funds. Cleveland Hopkins is one of four Ohio airports to receive funding, and it will receive the largest amount. Dayton and Toledo will each receive $975,000 and Port Columbus will receive $700,000.

The appropriations bill also includes $983,115,000 for discretionary grants to airports. While the bill does not contain dollar amounts for individual airports, it does indicate that priority should be given to Cleveland Hopkins to install and operate new software to ensure effectiveness of flight patterns to reduce aircraft noise and to Akron-Canton for construction of a containment facility to collect and dispose of de-icing fluid.

Other Ohio airports that will also be given priority for discretionary grants are Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, Erie County-Plum Brook Airport and Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport.

The bill provides a total of $14 billion to the FAA – $169 million over the fiscal year 2004 level and $53 million over the President’s request. This includes a $238 million increase for FAA operations (total operations funding is $7.7 billion), $3.5 billion for the Airport Improvement Program, and $102 million for Essential Air Service. The bill also includes an additional $7 million to hire and train additional air traffic controllers. Finally, the bill extends the current provisions of war risk insurance, including current premium price caps, for one additional year.