Sen. Mikulski visits RI

WARWICK, RI -- Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Governor Lincoln D. Chafee, and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian welcomed U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), the Chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, to Rhode Island and discussed a variety of efforts to help create jobs, strengthen Rhode Island’s infrastructure, and support economic development projects.

A commanding presence in Congress, Senator Mikulski is the longest serving female senator in U.S. history and the first woman to ever lead the Appropriations Committee, which annually allocates and steers federal funds to agencies, states, and organizations throughout the nation.  Senator Reed, who also serves on the Appropriations Committee, chairs the Subcommittee on Interior & Environment.

During a tour and briefing at the airport, Reed, Chafee, and Avedisian gave Chairwoman Mikulski a firsthand look at efforts to upgrade T.F. Green Airport and expand the runway, as well as plans to improve traffic flow and boost economic development in Warwick and the surrounding area.  With strong support from state and local officials, the business community, and labor, the T.F. Green runway expansion project is beginning to take off.  At the federal level, Reed has led efforts to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on plans to invest approximately $110 million in upgrading T.F. Green Airport and expanding the runway.  He has also supported $10 million in federal funding for the Apponaug Circulator Long-Term Improvements Project in Warwick to improve safety and help the city move forward with its plan for economic revitalization, and $400,000 in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding to help Warwick further develop and market a 95 acre parcel of land around the airport.

“Good mass transit will spur economic growth,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. “We continue to invest federal dollars wisely to develop projects such as the expansion and modernization of T.F. Green Airport, which are central to efforts moving Rhode Island forward and for our future.”

“Chairwoman Mikulski is one of the most powerful, dynamic forces in our nation’s capital.  I am proud to serve with her and have an opportunity to show her how we are putting federal dollars to work here in Rhode Island.  These airport improvements and economic development projects are wise investments in further developing the state’s assets and infrastructure.  We want to position Rhode Island to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow and Chairwoman Mikulski’s support is a big help toward that effort,” said Reed.  “The changes in the airline industry have made it tougher for airports to compete, but we have one of the best and we are going to continue doing everything we can to help T.F. Green evolve and expand so it can compete and meet Rhode Island’s needs.”

“The Apponaug bypass and City Centre Warwick projects are vitally important to our community and the state as a whole, not only for job creation and economic development, but as part of our overall efforts to improve the quality of life in our city,” Avedisian said. “I thank Senator Mikulski for understanding how critical federal funding is to support initiatives like these. Senator Reed has been a tireless supporter of the City of Warwick and has for years helped us to secure money for these and other noteworthy projects, and we are grateful for his continued advocacy and work on the city's behalf.”

“These upgrades to T.F. Green Airport wouldn’t be possible without Jack Reed,” Senator Mikulski said. “As Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m so glad to have Senator Reed on my committee. We’re a power team, working as a 1-2 punch to put money in the federal checkbook to modernize our infrastructure, creating construction jobs today, preparing for jobs tomorrow and encouraging innovation along the way. Both on the Appropriations Committee and as a transportation authorizer on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Jack Reed is looking out for the long-range needs of the nation and the day-to-day needs of Rhode Island. He fights every day and in every way for Rhode Island with bold initiatives to improve infrastructure. His work on Appropriations can be seen throughout the state – whether you are traveling by plane, train or automobile.”

“We cannot understate the importance of the efforts of Senator Reed to help infuse vital federal funds into projects that have a broad array of positive benefits to Rhode Island and the overall national transportation system,” said Kelly Fredericks, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.  “These benefits range from immediate job creation to meaningful environmental enhancements to significant long-term capital improvements.”

In 2012 and again in 2013, T.F. Green Airport was named one of America’s Best Airport’s by Travel + Leisure readers, ranking 1st for its accessible location and 2nd  for its smooth check-in process.  T.F. Green saw more than 3.8 million passengers in 2013, and is looking to serve more than 5 million passengers a year by 2017-2018.

In 2011, the FAA approved plans for T. F. Green to extend the primary runway, Runway 5-23, to the south by 1,530 feet to a total length of 8,700 feet.  The longer runway will allow for larger, heavier planes which could mean West Coast and international flight options for travelers.

As part of this overall improvement plan, the airport is also expanding the runway safety area on the Runway 16-34, adding an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) that will create an enhanced runway protection zone.  Work is already underway and as part of the modernization, Hangar 1 has been removed to eliminate  an airspace obstruction near Runway 16-34.

Earlier this month, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) received a $20.85 million installment of federal funds to continue work on runway safety area for Runway 16-34.  These federal funds will provide funding for Phase V of the project to help the airport comply with FAA safety standards by 2015.

In addition to the safety improvements on the runways, the airport is also currently constructing a multi-million dollar deicing containment facility and processing plant, funded in part through a loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). 

The airport continues to implement noise abatement programs and is working toward reconfiguring parts of Main Avenue.

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