WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a $6.9 million federal grant for runway and taxiway improvements at Portland-Hillsboro Airport.

"This runway and taxiway project is an important safety improvement at one of Oregon's busiest airports," said Secretary LaHood. "Investments in our nation's airports promote safety and economic growth."

The grant from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) will fund the replacement of the 20 year-old pavement on Runway 2/20, which is nearing the end of its useful life and requires frequent maintenance to repair cracks. The project also will include moving a runway threshold to provide pilots with better views of an intersecting runway. Taxiway C that runs parallel to the runway will also be reconstructed and moved further from the runway to enhance safety."Portland Hillsboro Airport is vital for business aviation in the Portland metropolitan area," Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said. "It provides air taxi and corporate aircraft services to a number of companies in the region and is also an important base for airplane and helicopter flight instruction."

Portland Hillsboro Airport is the second busiest airport in Oregon with more than 214,000 takeoffs and landings in 2011. Runway 2/20 runs perpendicular to the airport's primary runway and allows aircraft to land and take off when wind conditions prevent them from using the primary runway.

The runway and taxiway work is expected to begin in mid-2013 and end in the fall.

AIP provides $3.35 billion in annual funding for projects that are vital to maintaining the safety, capacity, and environmental stewardship of our nation's airports. More than 3,300 airports are eligible for AIP grants benefiting commercial passengers, cargo operations, and general aviation activities throughout the nation.

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