NM Delegation Announces $6.5 Million for Construction and Maintenance at 17 NM Airports

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce, Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham announced more than $6.5 million for maintenance and construction projects at 17 New Mexico airports. The funding was awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration, and will fund runway rehabilitations, fencing construction and other safety improvements at airports across the state.

"New Mexico's airports help drive the economy in communities across the state, and this funding will enable our airports to make crucial updates to runways and other infrastructure that will help ensure visitors and business travelers alike can fly safely and easily," Udall said. "As a member of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce committees, I'll continue working for the resources we need to strengthen our infrastructure to support tourism and commerce, attract businesses and create jobs across our state."

"New Mexico's airports play a key role in attracting business and tourism to New Mexico and driving our economy," said Heinrich. "I will continue to work to ensure that our aviation industry thrives. These federal investments will update airports, connect New Mexico's communities to the rest of the country, and improve safety. We must continue to support critical infrastructure investments in order to build long-term economic growth and job creation in our state."

"The funding awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration is vital to ensuring that we have safe and accessible runways throughout the state for general aviation use," Pearce said. "Modernizing these airports will not only improve the ease of access for the General Aviation community, but will also promote tourism and improve local economies around the updated airports. As a pilot, I greatly appreciate the FAA dedicating funds to improve aviation in New Mexico."

"In communities across New Mexico, local airports play a critical role in the economy. From bringing visitors who want to experience the beauty of the Land of Enchantment to moving New Mexico's unique products from our chile and pecans around the globe, airports are an essential part of our state's infrastructure," Luján said. "These important federal funds will support improvements and upgrades that ensure the safety and accessibility of New Mexico's airports."

"This funding is critical to help our local airports maintain their infrastructure, keep travelers safe and stimulate our economy," said Lujan Grisham. "I will continue to look for ways to support safe and accessible transportation for our residents and businesses."

Airports receiving funding include:

Albuquerque International Sunport:
- $100,000 for the design to reconstruct approximately 500 feet of Runway 8/26 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize debris.

Carlsbad City Air Terminal:
- $155,000 for crack fill and seal coat for 5,334 feet of Runway 8/26 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize debris.

Clayton Municipal Airpark Airport:
- $270,000 for the design phase of 6,300 feet of Runway 02/20 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize debris.

Conchas Lake Airport:
- $118,756 for the seal coat of 4,800 feet of Runway 9/27 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize debris.

Deming Municipal Airport:
- $570,000 to rehabilitate 8,000 feet of Runway 8/26 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize debris.

Fort Sumner Municipal:
- $270,104 for crack sealing and seal coating to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize debris on 5,250 feet of Runway 8/26, 5,800 feet of Runaway 3/21 and 1,200 feet of Taxiway B.

Four Corners Regional Airport:
- $1,142,714 for erosion control improvements along Runway 07/25 to minimize erosion and maintain the structural integrity of the pavement, to rehabilitate 225 feet of Taxiway G, 600 feet of Taxiway F, and 438 feet of Taxiway E.

Lea County/Jal Airport:
- $117,990 for the installation of a 1,050 foot perimeter fence to prevent pedestrians and vehicles from entering the airfield.

Lea County Regional Airport:
- $800,000 for the installation of a 35,000 foot wildlife perimeter fence to protect the airport from unauthorized and inadvertent entry and wildlife.

Lordsburg Municipal Airport:
- $59,327 for the design phase of a parallel taxiway serving Runway 12/30 to assist the airport in meeting design standards.

Reserve Airport:
- $474,975 for crack sealing and seal coating of 4,777 feet of Runway 6/24 to maintain the structural integrity of pavement and minimize foreign object debris.

Santa Fe Municipal Airport:
- $184,652 for an airport drainage system study to provide the airport with recommendations to improve drainage;
- $271,000 for the design phase for the rehabilitation of 8,300 feet of Runway 2/20 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize debris;
- $628,125 for the acquisition of a new snow removal truck with attachment blade and sweeper equipment to enhance the airport's ability to clear the airfield during adverse weather conditions, and a new friction tester to assist in measuring pavement friction;
- $184,140 for the design phase for rehabilitation of 4,500 feet of Taxiway D.

Santa Rosa Route 66 Airport:
- $118,755 for the installation of two perimeter security gates to improve access control on the airfield.

Sierra Blanca Regional Airport:
- $116,550 for phase I of III for the rehabilitation of Runway 06/24 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and reduce debris.

Socorro Municipal Airport:
- $134,600 for crack seal and seal coating to maintain the structural integrity of pavement on 4,600 feet of Runway 06/24 and 5,500 feet of Taxiway A.

Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport:
- $204,728 for the construction of a single tank fuel facility to generate revenue and make the airport more self-sustaining.

Tucumcari Municipal Airport:
- $475,000 to rehabilitate the non-revenue producing general aviation terminal parking lot;
- $135,000 for the installation of an emergency generator to power the airfield lights when commercial power is not available.