U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley on Monday announced that airports in Pendleton, Corvallis and Klamath Falls will receive a combined nearly $17.5 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for crucial safety improvements to runways.
“Small airports’ reliable air service in rural areas is crucial for Oregonians and our state’s economy,” Wyden said. “I am gratified to see these dollars go toward improving critical runway infrastructure that is often taken for granted when flying. Investing in airport infrastructure lays the groundwork for airports in Corvallis, Pendleton and Klamath Falls to continue to support jobs, our state’s economic growth and tourism.”
Merkley said the funding will improve critical infrastructure that the public relies on when flying that is critical for businesses in those communities to thrive.
“Regional airports are vital in connecting rural communities to economic opportunities across the state and beyond,” Merkley said. “These improvements will not only support the airport, but local economies of these cities and Oregon as a whole.”
These FAA grant funds will be allocated as follows:
- Eastern Oregon Regional Airport at Pendleton: $4,958,260 to reconfigure runway
- Corvallis Municipal Airport: $2,789,363 to reconstruct runway and update lighting
- Crater Lake/Klamath Regional Airport: $9,750,000 to reconstruct runway
“The Eastern Oregon Regional Airport is thankful to receive this FAA AIP grant funding for mitigation of a hotspot area on Runway 29,” said Steve Chrisman, Economic Development director for the city of Pendleton and Eastern Oregon Regional Airport as well as the Pendleton UAS Range.
“The airport has been experiencing unprecedented growth for the last several years which requires safe and structurally sound runways and taxiways,” he said. “This funding will help alleviate a long-standing problem for airfield users.”
