EGG HARBOR TWP. – Atlantic City International Airport will receive $2.2 million under federal fiscal year 2007 spending bills approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.
The funding, which was proposed and supported by New Jersey U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, will be used to acquire and install components necessary to upgrade the current Instrument Landing System at the airport.
If approved by the full Senate, the funds will be used to upgrade Runway 31 to Category III, which means it will be equipped with runway visual range sensors, touchdown zone lights and an approach lighting system that will allow many more aircraft to land in severe weather when visibility is low.
The improvements to the Instrument Landing System on Runway 31 dovetail with the other major improvements that have been and continue to be made at the airport, which is owned and operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority.
“I want to thank the senators for their continued support of the growth and development of Atlantic City International Airport,” said SJTA Acting Executive Director James R. Iannone.
Among the improvements the Authority has made are full instrument guidance on Runways 13 and 31, a new taxiway, improved lighting on the flight ramps, a new 1,000-space parking lot – and, this year, construction of a new baggage screening and sorting structure to house security equipment for the Transportation Security Administration and give the airlines more space for efficient loading of flights. Included in this project is installation of a second escalator near the baggage claim area, which will improve terminal traffic flow for travelers.
Late last month, the Authority authorized the expenditure of $25 million to design and build a 1,400-space parking garage at the airport. That project is expected to be completed in 2007.
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