Udall, Heinrich Announce $6.1 Million In FAA Grants For New Mexico Airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation, has awarded more than $6.1 million for rehabilitation and development projects for airports across New Mexico. These grants will be used for the construction of a new airport at Zuni Pueblo, runway rehabilitation, airport planning, and perimeter fencing.

"These grants will improve and expand airports throughout New Mexico, helping boost local economies by increasing access for residents and tourists. This funding will also support economic development and create jobs by encouraging businesses to expand across our state," said Sen. Udall. "As a member of the Senate Commerce and Appropriations committees, I'm proud to support these investments in New Mexico's communities, and I'll continue fighting for resources to strengthen New Mexico's infrastructure."

"Modernizing our transportation system is critical to long-term economic growth in our communities and spurs job creation," said Sen. Heinrich. "Federal investments to construct a new airport in Indian Country will support commerce, travel, and attract new business. The transportation and the aviation industries in New Mexico are major economic drivers for the state, and I will work to ensure they continue to thrive."

The projects funded by the FAA grants are:

• Pueblo of Zuni -- $3,106,720 to construct a new airport at Pueblo of Zuni. This project will fund the paving of Runway 06/24 for the replacement airport, lighting installation, and navigational aids. 

• Truth or Consequences -- $490,500 for the Truth Or Consequences Municipal Airport to rehabilitate 7,202 feet for Runway 13/31 and remove objects that do not belong on the runway, such as rocks, pavement fragments, and aircraft parts. This project will also rehabilitate 1,000 feet of the existing Taxiway B and 7,400 square yards of the existing general aviation apron to maintain structural integrity of the pavements.

• Moriarty -- $360,000 for the Moriarty Airport to rehabilitate the lighting system of Runway 08/26 which would enhance safe airfield operations during low visibility conditions.

• Carrizozo -- $327,463 for the Carrizozo Municipal Airport to rehabilitate 1,100 feet of the existing taxiway needed to maintain structural integrity of the pavement.

• Hobbs -- $254,884 for the Lea County Regional Airport to rehabilitate 7,398 feet of Runway 3/21 and remove objects that do not belong on the runway, such as rocks, pavement fragments, and aircraft parts.

• Las Cruces -- $244,906 for the Las Cruces International Airport to fund a new Runway 8/26 vertical/visual guidance system and make the airport more accessible to pilots by providing improved approaches to the runway ends.

• Lordsburg -- $240,000 for the Lordsburg Municipal Airport to rehabilitate 5,011 feet of Runway 12/30 and remove objects that do not belong on the runway, such as rocks, pavement fragments, and aircraft parts.

• Ruidoso -- $210,000 for the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport to purchase a power-sweeper to remove objects that do not belong on the runway, such as rocks, pavement fragments, and aircraft parts.

• Carlsbad -- $205,658 for the Cavern City Air Terminal Airport to purchase a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle to assist the airport in meeting the Federal Aviation Administration's safety requirements. 

• Carlsbad -- $130,000 for the Cavern City Air Terminal Airport to install a 1,700-foot wildlife perimeter fence to prevent wildlife from entering the runway. 

• Springer -- $114,641 for the Springer Municipal Airport to install a 13,100-foot wildlife perimeter fence and to purchase two acres of land for future airport development. 

• Vaughn -- $97,324 for the Vaughn Municipal Airport to rehabilitate 11,500 square yards of the existing apron to maintain structural integrity of the pavement. This project will also fund crack sealing and seal coating to rehabilitate 1,800 feet of the existing taxiway runway.

• Hatch -- $96,525 for the Hatch Municipal Airport to update the airport master plan narrative report and layout a plan to address key issues, objectives, and goals pertinent to the airport's future development.

• Farmington -- $93,750 for the Four Corners Regional Airport to purchase 0.58 acres of land adjacent to the existing airport property for future eligible Airport Improvement Program development.

• Española -- $93,917 for the Ohkay Owingeh Airport to fund an airport master plan to address key issues, objectives, and goals pertinent to the airport's future development.

• Silver City -- $91,000 for the Grant County Airport to rehabilitate 6,802 feet of Runway 8/26 and remove objects that do not belong on the runway, such as rocks, pavement fragments, and aircraft parts.

Total: $6,157,288