Cincinnati, OH- U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a $17.6 million grant to rehabilitate a runway andtaxiway at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

"Investing in our nation's airports promotes economic growth," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Thisfundingwill help theairportmakecriticalrepairs toaginginfrastructure and keepaircraftmoving safely and efficientlythroughCincinnati."

BothRunway 18L-36R and its parallel taxiway Sierra are used extensively by several airlines that rely on Cincinnati as a hub. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport ranked 11th nationwide in 2011 for cargo. A total of 2.8 billion pounds of cargo landed at Cincinnati, a 16 percent increase over 2010.

"Upgrading airport infrastructureat Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Internationalwill helpmaintain a safe and efficientair transportation systemfor cargo operations as well as passengers," Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said.

This grant willsupportrehabilitationof theentire10,000 foot-longrunway,and 1,800 feet ofthe south end ofTaxiway Sierra, which is parallel to 18L/36R. The runway and taxiway are more than 20 years old,and thepavement has reached the end of its useful life. Theproject is part ofthe airport's pavement management program, which is updated annually.

The project will be done in two phases beginning Sept. 1, 2012 and ending Dec. 15, 2013.

Total project cost is $23.5 million with $17.6 million from the FAA's airport improvement grant program. TheKenton County Airport Boardwill fund $5.9 million of the project.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has two other parallel runwaysanda crosswind runway that will remain open during construction.

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