Alabama airports receive $25.5 million for infrastructure improvements
Alabama U.S. Senator Richard Shelby on Thursday announced 25 local airports throughout the Yellowhammer State will benefit from more than $25.5 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation for various airport improvements to support infrastructure construction, safety advances, and equipment acquisition. “These FAA grants support critical projects that aim to improve safety, security, and efficiency of airports across the state,” said Shelby. “Airport infrastructure plays a vital role in economic growth and development in Alabama, and I look forward to the progress that will stem from these grants.” The grants, which range from $7.08 million for the Mobile Downtown Airport to $94,500 for the Thomas C. Russell Field Airport in Alexander City, are funded through the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and federal appropriations. “This is outstanding news for constituents of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. Airports are economic engines in our communities which promote job creation and greater economic growth for the state of Alabama,” said Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, whose district is home to four cities receiving funding. “Infrastructure investments like these projects play a vital role, not only in our economic success, but in the overall viability of our communities.” Shelby chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which unanimously approved the FY2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill last month. The 25 FAA grants, totaling $25,517,940, will support the following airport projects in Alabama: Mobile Downtown Airport, Mobile Airport Authority: $7,080,027 for taxiway reconstruction, runway rehabilitation, and installation of a new taxiway lighting system MacCrenshaw Memorial Airport, City of Greenville: $3,114,820 for runway reconstruction H.L. Callahan Airport, City of Fairhope: $3,033,757 for construction of an additional taxiway and access taxiways Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, City of Tuscaloosa: $2,652,600 for apron rehabilitation and a master plan study Lanett Municipal Airport, City of Lanett: $1,717,830 for construction of a runway and installation of a new runway lighting system Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Birmingham Airport Authority: $1,417,500 for erosion repair, safety equipment acquisition, sign installation, and taxiway rehabilitation Headland Municipal Airport, City of Headland: $990,000 for construction of an additional taxiway Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn University: $832,500 for taxiway rehabilitation Enterprise Municipal Airport, City of Enterprise: $653,140 for taxiway rehabilitation Pryor Field Regional Airport, Counties of Morgan and Limestone: $495,900 for taxiway lighting reconstruction Cullman Regional-Folsom Field Airport, City and County of Cullman: $450,000 for taxiway reconstruction Carl Folsom Airport, Elba Airport Authority: $446,998 for construction a 7,200-square-foot hangar building Anniston Regional Airport, City of Anniston: $446,400 for apron and taxiway rehabilitation Marion County-Rankin Fite Airport, County of Marion: $261,000 for construction of an additional taxiway to provide access to aircraft hangars Albertville Regional-Thomas J Brumlik Field Airport, City of Albertville: $253,168 for taxiway reconstruction Shelby County Airport, County of Shelby: $249,970 for construction of a 14,830-square-foot hangar building Bibb County Airport, County of Bibb: $242,640 for land acquisition to extend protection zone Moton Field Municipal Airport, City of Tuskegee: $195,480 for runway and taxiway rehabilitation Talladega Municipal Airport, City of Talladega: $190,410 for taxiway rehabilitation Bessemer Airport, City of Bessemer: $150,000 for runway rehabilitation Prattville-Grouby Field Airport, Prattville Airport Authority: $150,000 for installation of airport drainage improvements Wetumpka Municipal Airport, City of Wetumpka: $150,000 for installation of a new navigational aid and a new runway vertical/visual guidance system Walker County-Bevill Field Airport, Walker County: $135,000 for updates to the airport master plan narrative report and airport layout plan Ozark-Blackwell Field Airport, City of Ozark: $114,300 for runway rehabilitation and installation of new navigational aids Thomas C. Russell Field Airport, City of Alexander City: $94,500 for installation of a new navigational aid and a new runway vertical/visual guidance system
House committee continues work on Alabama driver’s license issues
Although the state of Alabama’s 2017 Legislative session is still more than a month away, some Alabama lawmakers have been working hard during their down-time to solve the state’s many issues surrounding drivers licenses. Formed after 31 rural Drivers License offices were shuttered in 2015 due to funding problems, the House Interim Committee on Driver’s License Review is endeavoring to reduce wait times and find new methods for making driver’s license offices more accessible to all Alabamians. Since it was established by a House Resolution co-sponsored by 56 Republican members, the committee has held meetings across the state. The importance of the committee’s work was underscored by a Wednesday announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which concluded proposed closures and service reductions at certain driver’s license offices in the state would underserve the African-American community and violate the Civil Rights Act. The DOT and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) have thus reached an agreement to ensure all Alabamians have access to driver’s licensing programs. The committee will continue to work to further improve the driver’s licensing process. “Our focus is to find ways to increase customer service for Alabama taxpayers trying to get a driver license,” said Committee Chair Fairview-Republican, state Rep. Randall Shedd. “It is unacceptable that individuals are having to take time off of work, stand in line for hours, and in some cases still not receive service. We are serious about solving this problem.” Additionally, the committee has discussed changing requirements to allow probate judge offices to take on clerical activities such as adding veterans, vessels, and other routine classification changes to driver’s licenses instead of driver’s license offices. This adjustment would free up the time spent by license office employees on these minor adjustments and could also eliminate individuals having to wait all day for a routine change. Rural Alabama is well represented with two officers of the House Rural Caucus serving on the committee, Hayden-Republican, state Rep. David Standridge chairs the Rural Caucus and Shedd serves as Treasurer. “The Rural Caucus recognized this as a problem from the beginning. People in rural Alabama should have access to state services without regard to their income level or where they live,” Standridge expalined. “As a member of this committee, I support Chairman Shedd in his efforts to make our driver’s license offices more accessible and efficient.” The House Interim Committee on Driver’s License Review is scheduled to meet again next week on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 410 of the Alabama Statehouse. The committee is required to report its findings and submit suggestions to the House of Representatives no later than the tenth legislative day of the 2017 regular session. The following individuals serve on the committee: Bessemer-Democrat, state Rep. Louise Alexander Newville-Democrat, state Rep. Dexter Grimsley Killen-Republican, state Rep. Phillip Pettus Hayden-Republican, state Rep. David Standridge Mobile-Republican, state Rep. Margie Wilcox