Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement announcing two important grants for Henry E. Rohlsen and Cyril E. King Airports in the Virgin Islands:
“I am proud to announce that the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix and the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas will receive important grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“The Department of Transportation announced that the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) would receive $3,166,568. This grant will provide federal funding for the Henry E Rohlsen Airport associated with Christiansted, V.I. This grant will go to reconstructing 27,000 feet of the existing perimeter fencing and will help acquire a runway sweeper to minimize foreign object debris. The grant will also help rehabilitate 26,000 square yards of the existing air carrier apron to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement along with updating the pavement management program to address how airfield pavement will be maintained or upgraded. Finally, this grant will help acquire an emergency generator to support the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting building during power outages.
“The Department of Transportation also announced that the Virgin Islands Port Authority would receive $5,075,908. This grant will provide federal funding to the Cyril E King Airport associated with Charlotte Amalie, V.I. This grant will go to rehabilitating 5,556 square yards of the existing air carrier apron to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement along with acquiring a runway sweeper to minimize foreign object debris. It will also acquire a lighted X runway incursion lighting system to allow the airport to safely close the runway. Finally, this grant will go towards expanding the existing general aviation apron by 6,700 square yards to accommodate increased use of the general aviation facilities and will acquire an emergency generator to support the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting building during power outages.
“These important grants are significant to the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands because they will allow the USVI Port Authority to continue promoting the wise use of these airports for the betterment of the U.S. Virgin Islands and its people, and to assist the government and the community in fostering and sustaining sound economic development when it comes to its airports.”
