Enid airport to get federal grant to build runway

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- Enid Woodring Regional Airport will get a $2 million grant to fund the first phase of a large-scale improvement project.<br><br>The grant comes from the Federal Aviation Administration

Monday, May 3rd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- Enid Woodring Regional Airport will get a $2 million grant to fund the first phase of a large-scale improvement project.

The grant comes from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program through the Department of Transportation.

It will pay for rebuilding the taxiway parallel to the main runway at Woodring, City Manager Bill Gamble said.

That would allow planes to land there during the second phase of the project, when the main runway is rebuilt, Gamble said.

The cost of the final phase of the project is estimated at $6.5 million to $7 million.

Gamble said the city applied to the FAA and Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission for grants to fund the project.

The city will have to contribute as much as 5 percent in matching funds for the project, he said.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., announced the grant on Friday.

"Oklahoma's regional and metropolitan airports are very important to our state and we must maintain them in the best condition possible," Inhofe said.

"These funds will help pay for valuable modifications and improvements to Enid's airport and I appreciate the Department of Transportation's assistance."