Grant money to fund airport runway and lighting improvements

S.F. AIRPORT (Map, News) - More than $1 million in Federal Aviation Administration grant funding has been earmarked for San Francisco International Airport runway and lighting improvements, Congressman Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo/San Francisco, announced Tuesday.

The $1.425 million in funding to SFO will be used to pay for an overlay on one of the airport’s major runways, designed to reduce damage to aircraft by objects on the ground. The funds will also be used to improve another runway’s lighting by replacing too-small, high-voltage power distribution cables now in use there, according to Lynne Weil, Lantos’ press secretary.

“As air traffic in our area continues to grow, federal funds of this magnitude are more important than ever,” Lantos said. “San Francisco International in particular is central to our region’s economy, both for the jobs it provides and the people who pass through its doors for tourism and commerce here. We have to ensure that all the facilities’ needs are met to keep our vital transportation hub humming along.”

SFO has acquired some $38 million in grants in the past year for noise reduction, rescue equipment, security fences and improvements to increase the terminals’ passenger and baggage capacity, according to Weil.

tramroop@examiner.com