WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced an $18 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant for runway safety area (RSA) improvements at San Francisco International Airport.

"This infrastructure investment will help achieve the highest possible runway safety standards at San Francisco International Airport," Secretary LaHood said. "Making important investments in our aviation system promotes safety and economic growth in communities across the country."

The FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant will fund the second phase of RSA improvements to both north-south runways at San Francisco. RSAs protect passengers and crew if an aircraft overruns, undershoots, or veers off the side of the runway. The project will include the installation of Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS), which use crushable concrete placed at the end of a runway to stop an aircraft.

Construction will begin in January 2014 and will be completed by the end of 2015.

Earlier this year, the FAA awarded SFO AIP grants totaling $30.5 million for the first phase of the RSA project.

"EMAS is a critical safety improvement when land is not available to create standard-sized RSAs," said Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. "This grant enhances the safety of the airport."

AIP provides $3.35 billion in annual funding for airport improvement 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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