OSWEGO COUNTY – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have announced that the Oswego County Airport will receive more than $1.78 million in federal funds through the Federal Aviation Adminstration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program.
“We’re very pleased that the Oswego County Airport was among those selected to receive funding from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program,” said Oswego County Legislator Paul House, chairman of the Legislature’s Infrastructure, Facilities and Technology Committee. “These funds allow for necessary infrastructure upgrades at our airport, which will provide a safer and more efficient experience for pilots and travelers, at a significantly reduced cost to taxpayers.”
These federal grants will cover 90% of two Oswego County Airport projects, beacon replacement and taxiway rehabilitation, with a 10% share split between state and local governments. The total cost of the beacon replacement is expected to come in at $327,880, with the county’s share being 5% or $16,394. The taxiway rehabilitation project is anticipated to be $1,655,300, with the county’s 5% share being $82,765.
The first grant, in the amount of $295,092, will be used for the construction phase of the replacement and relocation of the existing rotating beacon. It will be replaced with a modern LED unit which provides a more defined beam, meaning less light pollution, energy usage and maintenance.
“This first project will have a significant impact on operations and safety,” said Oswego County Airport Manager Brandon Schwerdt. “A dependable beacon is essential to the airport, as it is used from dusk until dawn every night to aid pilots in locating the airport. The current unit was installed in 1997, and is no longer cost-efficient due to breakdowns, repairs and electric usage. The new beacon will allow for safer and more reliable airspace during nighttime and inclement weather conditions.”
Another project covered by these grants is the construction phase of the rehabilitation of taxiways. $1,489,770 will go toward replacing pavement of two taxiways and outdated cables and lights.
“The existing pavement on the taxiways is 22 years old, exceeding its 20-year design life,” said Schwerdt. “This rehabilitation project will restore the taxiway surfaces to good condition, improve surface grades and reduce the risk of foreign object debris damage to aircraft.”
Existing lights and signs will be salvaged and re-used as they are part of an upcoming airport-wide lighting and signage replacement project which will upgrade them to LED units.
The FAA funds these projects in two phases, design and construction, with a gap year in between. The design phase of both the beacon and taxiways projects was completed in 2022.
The recent announcement of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program consists of $59 million to modernize facilities and strengthen airport safety at 26 airports across the state. It is funded through fees on commercial aviation operations, such as taxes on airplane tickets and fuel.
For more information about the Oswego County Airport, visit https://www.oswegocounty.com/departments/infrastructure_facilities_and_technology/airport.php or call 315-591-9129.