County receives $8.2 million grant to repair Paine Field
Published 12:01 am Saturday, September 17, 2011
EVERETT — Snohomish County on Friday announced receipt of an $8.2 million federal grant to pay for repair work at Paine Field.
The money is intended for installing drains, repaving shoulders and upgrading the electrical system on the county airport’s main runway.
The electrical system
is more than 50 years old, and this work will bring runway lighting and signs in line with Federal Aviation Administration standards.
County Executive Aaron Reardon and the County Council approved the federal Airport Improvement Grant.
“Thousands of Snohomish County jobs depend on keeping Paine Field’s main runway in top shape,” Reardon said.
The main jet runway is the only Paine Field runway that supports the large aircraft manufactured by the Boeing Co. as well as aircraft refurbished at Aviation Technical Services.
This project is necessary to meet FAA design standards. In 2009, the airport received $11 million in stimulus money. Together, the work is expected to finish a nearly complete overhaul of the airport’s main runway and taxiways.
