CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two West Virginia airports will receive federal funds to make terminal and runway repairs.
U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced more than $11.6 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Yeager Airport in Charleston and Tri-State Airport in Huntington.
“That’s for Taxiway A improvements, roof improvements, some lighting improvements on the taxiways,” said Yeager Airport Director Terry Sayre.
Sayre said they’re hoping to start those projects by this fall.
Both senators said the funding will help ensure the airports are able to continue serving West Virginia safely and efficiently.
“As West Virginia’s two largest airports, Yeager and Tri-State are essential to keeping our state connected to the rest of the country, promoting economic growth and facilitating travel to and from West Virginia,” Capito said in a statement.
Manchin said in a release, “As a pilot myself, I understand the importance of maintaining airport facilities and the important role both airports play in West Virginia’s economy.”
Yeager will receive more than $2.7 million. Tri-State will get about $8.9 million.
Sayre said the airport needs all the financial help they can get in order to rebuild the airport’s overrun area, which collapsed in 2015.
“For us, here at the airport we’re working diligently every day with our elected officials trying to get us some help with the FAA to get this interim fix on the 5-end so we can immediately improve safety here at the airport,” he said.