WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jack Reed today announced the awarding of $927,542 in federal grant money for Block Island State Airport to expand the number of parking spaces for planes.
Increasing air traffic to the island is forcing some planes to circle the airport waiting for a place to land and park, according to a statement issued by Reed’s office. The U.S. Department of Transportation funds will be used to create 30 additional tiedown spots on airport property for planes visiting the island. Currently the airport has 20 hardtop tiedowns and 16 grass-surface tiedowns.
“Air service plays a major role in serving the Block Island community,” said Reed, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees federal transportation projects, in the statement. “This federal funding is an essential investment in keeping Block Island’s airport up-to-date, safe and convenient.”
In addition, the “money will enable the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to go forward with their construction plans for the new airport terminal building and parking areas and see the project to completion.,” said Ray Torrey on behalf of the New Shoreham Town Council.
Block Island State Airport is one of five general aviation airports owned and operated by the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. For more information about the RIAC, go to www.pvdairport.com.
