The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $13,643,770 grant to Page Field (FMY), the region’s general and business aviation airport operated by the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA). The grant was made under the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, which awards funds to eligible airports for necessary planning and development projects. As the FAA-designated reliever airport for Southwest Florida International Airport handling nearly 97,000 operations in 2015, Page Field is vital to the air transportation system in Southwest Florida.
The grant will allow LCPA to proceed with the rehabilitation of Page Field’s primary-use Runway 05/23 and associated taxiways. Specifically, it will fund enhancements to the airfield’s lighting, drainage and signage, improvements to the structural integrity of the runway and taxiways and additional safety upgrades to better serve those flying in and of Page Field. These improvements are necessary to repair the 20-plus year-old pavement, extend its useful life and bring it up to current FAA standards.
“Airports rely on grant dollars to provide needed infrastructure and improvements,” said Robert M. Ball, A.A.E., executive director of the Lee County Port Authority. “LCPA worked diligently with the FAA Orlando Airports District Office to secure funding for this crucial rehabilitation of the runway and enhance safety at Page Field.”
