WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps announced today federal grants totaling $8.4 million for transportation and public safety projects at the San Luis Obispo Airport.  The federal grants will be used to meet the Runway Safety Area (RSA) requirements on the airport’s new extended runway.

“I am pleased to announce this federal funding to support efforts to enhance the safety of the San Luis Obispo Airport,” said Capps.  “The expansion of the San Luis Obispo Airport runway is a positive development for San Luis Obispo and the surrounding community.  These federal resources will help our airport safely maintain its current high quality of service while providing an important opportunity for future growth.”

“We are extremely pleased that a grant award will be made for this most important project,” said Klaasje Nairne, Airports Manager, San Luis Obispo County Airports.  “This grant falls on the heels of our $15 million dollar runway extension project and this new grant will allow us to meet all the Runway Safety Area (RSA) requirements on the extended runway.   Our constrained space did not allow for a standard runway safety area, but EMAS (Engineered Material Arresting System) is a product that reduces the amount of land required for the RSA.  In anticipation of this grant, we have already commenced design of the EMAS beds and hope to have the EMAS material ready to install in Spring of 2008.  We sincerely thank Congresswoman Capps for her continued support of the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport.”

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.