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Schumer, Gillibrand, Higgins and Collins help secure $1.3-million-plus for NFTA projects at Buffalo Niagara International Airport

by jmaloni

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Tue, Aug 19th 2014 02:05 pm

Funding to support rescue building, water infrastructure

Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand joined Congressmembers Brian Higgins and Chris Collins in announcing two separate grants awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority for improvements to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport totaling $1,347,732 million.

"Making sure our airports are as safe as possible is one of my top priorities," Schumer said. "With this funding, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport will be able to make the infrastructure upgrades necessary to keep the passengers and pilots that fly in and out of the airport every day. Keeping this airport in top shape will allow it to continue to serve as a major economic driver for all of Western New York."

"This is an important investment for Buffalo Niagara International Airport," Gillibrand said. "These federal dollars will help provide better, safer service for New Yorkers."

"The Buffalo Niagara International Airport serves a huge population from the Western New York region, as well as Canada," Higgins said. "This funding will support important upgrades that improve safety and better serve the current needs at the airport."

"Supporting local governments with the cost of maintaining, repairing and building critical infrastructure such as Buffalo Niagara International Airport is an appropriate use of federal tax dollars," Collins said. "Local taxpayers send too much of their hard-earned money to Washington, and it is only proper that we get a share of it back to assist with projects that will improve the safety and efficiency of our local transportation infrastructure."

NFTA Executive Director Kimberley A. Minkel said, "This is great news. Nothing is more important than the safety of our airport operations. A new ARFF facility, which will be strategically located on the airfield, will allow for faster response times to potential aviation emergencies, and the installation of a new, larger waterline will further increase our firefighting capabilities."

The first grant awards $867,170 for the purpose of rehabilitating an outdated waterline on the west side of the airport. The existing waterlines were constructed in 1943 and 1970, and in need of replacement. Through the project, a new 4,900-linear-feet waterline will be constructed to improve water pressure and better serve an increased demand for water. Local contractor Kandey Co. of West Seneca has been awarded the bid.

The second grant provides $480,562 toward design of an aircraft rescue and firefighting building, to protect existing emergency response equipment and bring the airport into compliance with safety requirements. The new building will relocate emergency response equipment to allow for a better response and include new state-of-the art technology.

The funding is provided through the Federal Aviation Administration through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

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