Lofgren & Honda Announce $1.5 Million for Mineta San Jose International Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) and Mike Honda (D-Silicon Valley) announced nearly $1.5 million in federal funding today for Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport to study possible improvements to airfield safety.
The funds, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will fund a new Runway Incursion Mitigation (RIM) and Airfield Design Standards Analysis. The RIM study is intended to reduce the potential for runway incursions which is the unintended entry onto an active runway by aircraft, vehicles or pedestrians.
"I'm pleased to see another sizeable federal investment in Mineta San Jose International," said Lofgren. "This study will help enhance the qualities that make Silicon Valley's airport an attractive choice for travelers, airlines and businesses."
"Continuing to invest in our regional airport helps keep Silicon Valley as the capital of innovation, improves safety and efficiency, and boosts our local economy," said Honda. "News of further federal investment in Mineta San Jose International Airport is very welcome, especially in the months leading up to Super Bowl 50."
The study, receiving a total of $ 1,498,141 from the FAA, will help identify mitigation alternatives to address SJC's airfield layout which was originally designed in the early-1960's. Since that time, there has been a significant increase in operational activity with larger and heavier aircraft.
The FAA issued new design standards for airfields in 2012, and further refined these standards in 2014, through analysis of airfield facilities and operational procedures at airports across the US.
SJC is one of the first US airports to undergo a RIM study, made possible by the FAA grant funding. The study is anticipated to begin in November 2015 and take two years to complete.
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