HOULTON, Maine — Houlton International Airport is one of eight airports in Maine that have been awarded a combined $3.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program.
Houlton received $400,000, an amount more than what larger airports such as Bangor International Airport, Brunswick Executive Airport or Waterville’s Robert LaFleur Airport received. The announcement was made Wednesday by Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, who said the grants were made to prop up airports that have lost business over the past few months.
“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine airports have suffered significant losses due to the sharp downturn in passenger traffic,” Collins said. “These investments will help to ensure that airports throughout our state will continue to serve as engines of job creation and essential pieces of our transportation network after this crisis has passed.”
The money will be used to improve lighting and remove obstructions.This includes construction of a new parallel taxiway located closer to the runway, removing 23 acres of tree obstruction and partial culvert repair along Cook Brook, which runs along airport facilities, according to a prepared statement.
In addition to the Houlton, Bangor, Brunswick and Waterville airports, the other four to receive a grant are Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, Millinocket Municipal Airport, Central Maine Airport of Norridgewock and Pittsfield Municipal Airport.
