Courtesy photo
The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved a $1.6 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for improvements at Drake Field Executive Airport in Fayetteville.
The money will be used to widen a taxiway, according to Elaine L. Chao, secretary of the department.
Chao said the money is part of $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds designed to enhance safety and efficiency at airports across the nation. The grants will fund infrastructure including runways, taxiways, aprons, and terminal projects.
Airports receive a certain amount of program entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs, Chao said. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
