JFK secures $2.5 million in DOT funding

BY NOAH ROSENBERG

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 7:02 PM EDT

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton announced Tuesday, August 26, that nearly $2.5 million in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funding has been secured for improvements at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The grant, earmarked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will provide federal funding to complete a rehabilitation of Taxiway E at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which suffers from poor pavement conditions and poses a safety concern for aircraft.

“This is something we do continually at our airports,” said Port Authority spokesman Pasquale DiFulco, who noted that the project began in January 2008 and is slated to end this November. “The infrastructure undergoes a lot of wear and tear - these are not compact cars” that are operating out there. DiFulco said the cost of maintenance is high because the airport needs to continue to operate during construction. “It’s like performing surgery on a marathon runner while he’s in the 17th mile,” he joked.

The funds, totaling $2,467,706, will be dispersed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

“It is great news that JFK Airport is receiving the money it needs to safely service travelers visiting New York,” Schumer said in a statement.

Clinton was equally pleased, adding, “JFK Airport is a critical gateway to our nation, a critical hub for transportation, and a vital source for New York’s economy. This investment will help ensure that JFK continues to work safely and efficiently as a key component of our transportation infrastructure.”