Nearly $4 million federal grant to fund Paso Robles Airport taxiway rehabilitation
Paso Robles Airport.
Funding will support the rehabilitation of 1,900 feet of pavement
– U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta recently announced that $3.895 million in federal funding has been secured to rehabilitate Taxiway A at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration awarded the grant through its Airport Improvement Program. The funding will support the rehabilitation of 1,900 feet of existing taxiway pavement and help minimize foreign object debris that could interfere with airport operations.
The grant will fund the project’s final phase, which consists of construction.
“Paso Robles Municipal Airport is an important transportation hub that supports our local economy, military operations, wildfire suppression and prevention efforts, and regional connectivity,” Panetta said. “This significant federal investment in northern San Luis Obispo County will help preserve the structural integrity of Taxiway A, reduce the risk of debris, and ensure safer and more reliable airport operations. I’ll continue working in Congress to ensure that the federal government plays its part by bringing our fair share of resources home and investing directly in the infrastructure that serves our communities.”
“Congressman Panetta’s $3.9 million investment strengthens our airport’s infrastructure and safety, supporting regional economic growth, public safety air operations, emergency response, and our future horizontal launch spaceport opportunities. We greatly appreciate his continued support of our city,” Paso Robles Mayor John Hamon said.
In addition to charter and private use, the airport serves as an air operations support base for statewide public safety agencies. It also serves as the site of a proposed spaceport initiative supported by Panetta.
The City of Paso Robles is working toward obtaining a Federal Aviation Administration Launch Site Operator License, which would allow spaceport operations to complement airport operations.
The Airport Improvement Program provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings.
