Port of Friday Harbor

Press Release: September 8, 2011

Re: Airport construction project

Construction is underway at Friday Harbor Airport on a project to install a new emergency generator and electric vault along with other electric system improvements. The contractor, Award Construction Inc., will also perform upgrades to the airport’s pedestrian and vehicle gates.

This project is funded by a $1.3 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program provides for planning and development of public use airports, and is financed by user fees, aviation fuel taxes and other revenue sources. Friday Harbor Airport is eligible to receive $1 million each year from this program because the airport serves more than 10,000 passengers boarding commercial aircraft each year. The Port has approximately $3 million “banked” for future construction.

Washington State’s Department of Transportation awarded the Port a grant of $33,000 to cover half of the local match required for the FAA grant.

Other projects to be completed with these grant funds include engineering design for the rebuild of the parallel taxiway and replacement of airfield lights and signs. This work is expected to take place in 2012.

Port Director Marilyn O’Connor explained, “It’s crucial that the Port use this funding source for long-term investments in our airport. We’ve had access to FAA grants for the past 25 years, but we don’t know what the future will bring. We want to focus on projects that will improve and prolong the life of this important facility.”

Friday Harbor Airport has about 55,000 operations each year, making it the 12^th busiest airport in Washington State. The Port of Friday Harbor has owned and operated the airport since 1984.