The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is now accepting applications for the first round of 2013-2015 airport grants. During this round, WSDOT anticipates awarding an unprecedented $2 million in grants, which is about a $1 million increase over typical rounds.
“More funding gives us the opportunity to target some very important needs at our state’s airports,” said WSDOT director of aviation Tristan Atkins. “This is good news for our transportation system and economy.”
To apply, airport sponsors can fill out the online application. Airport Aid Grant Assurances are now required to be submitted with the application package. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. on Fri., June 21. Qualifying projects should be targeted for completion over the next 12 to 24 months. Eligible projects may include work beginning after July 1, 2013. WSDOT will announce grant award recipients the week of July 15, 2013.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s recently-signed transportation budget provided a one-time, $1.5 million increase to WSDOT’s Airport Aid Grant Program for the next biennium. The increase includes existing funds in the state’s aeronautics account, which come from aviation fuel fees and a portion of the state aircraft registration fee/excise taxes.
The next grant cycle will begin in June 2014 with an anticipated $1.5 million available.
In Tacoma and Pierce County, the following projects have received WSDOT Airport Aid Grant funding over the years:
Airport — Tacoma Narrows
Sponsor — Pierce County
Associated City/County Served — Tacoma / Pierce
Project Description — Runway 17/35 Rehabilitation and Replace/Relocate Runway Navaids
State — $137,936.40
Federal — $4,993,051.00
Airport — Swanson Field
Sponsor — Town of Eatonville
Associated City/County Served — Eatonville / Pierce
Project Description — Lynch Creek Tree Obstruction Removal
State — $31,500.00
Federal — N/A
Airport — Foss Waterway Seaplane Base (Proposed)
Sponsor — Foss Waterway Development Authority
Associated City/County Served — Tacoma / Pierce
Project Description — Planning and Environmental Investigation for Proposed Foss Waterway Seaplane Base
State — $30,000.00
Federal — N/A
Airport — Tacoma Narrows
Sponsor — Pierce County
Associated City/County Served — Tacoma / Pierce
Project Description — Runway 17/35 Rehabilitation / Design Engineering
State — $6,362.00
Federal — $241,761.00
Airport — Tacoma Narrows
Sponsor — Pierce County
Associated City/County Served — Tacoma / Pierce
Project Description — Runway 17/35 Rehabilitation – Preliminary Design / Environmental Review
State — $5,175.00
Federal — $196,650.00
Airport — Tacoma Narrows
Sponsor — Pierce County
Associated City/County Served — Gig Harbor / Pierce
Project Description — Runway 17 Safety Area Improvements and Runway 35 Safety Area Improvements (Engineering)
State — $7,667.33
Federal — $291,358.35
Airport — Pierce County – Thun Field
Sponsor — Pierce County
Associated City/County Served — Pierce County
Project Description — 2010 Runway Improvements Project and Master Plan Update
State — $9,179.63
Federal — $348,816.25
Airport — Thun Field
Sponsor — Pierce County
Associated City/County Served — Puyallup / Pierce
Project Description — Taxiway Realignment Project and Emergency Generator
State — $23,038.00
Federal — $875,460.00
Airport sponsors can use the recently updated WSDOT Airport Aid Grant Procedures Manual. The update incorporates the new state grant assurances and provides links to online resources, a project schedule, a revised grant application and templates.
Learn more about the Airport Aid Grant Program online here.
