Rockland Airport Wins Grant for Major Runway Work

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that the Knox County Regional Airport in Rockland has won a $1.8 million federal grant to resurface the main, 5,000 foot runway. The last time the pavement on Runway 13/31 had a major overhaul was twenty years ago and the asphalt has reached the end of its useful life.

"About 30,000 people come and go at Knox Country Regional every year. The airport is an important part of the local economy and this investment will help make sure the facility is equipped to safely handle that traffic for years to come," Pingree said. "And since it's a Maine construction company doing the work, it's also going to support local jobs."

The job has been awarded to Lane Construction of Westbrook and work is expected to take place in late September and early October. During construction, the main runway will be closed for about twelve days. The airport will still be able to handle smaller aircraft on a secondary runway.

"As the economy starts to pick up, so does traffic at the airport. Refurbishing that runway is going to put us in a good position to handle that traffic going forward," said airport manager Jeff Northgraves.

Pingree said the Federal Aviation Administration grant helps pay for expenses that might otherwise be the responsibility of local governments.

"County taxpayers fund much of the costs at the airport," she said. "And this federal grant helps take some of the pressure off them to fund construction projects at Knox County Regional."

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