WASHINGTON – Seven Maine airports will share more than $3 million in federal funding for improvements to terminals, runways and other airport infrastructure. The funding, part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program, will benefit air facilities in Bangor, Portland, Sanford, Owls Head, Presque Isle, Trenton and Auburn.

“These grants provide crucial federal support that will improve both the safety and capacity of these airports throughout central, northern and eastern Maine,” said U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in a joint statement. “Using this funding, these airports will make much-needed improvements to airport tarmac, snow removal equipment, and other purchases important to air safety.”

This funding “will help to enhance air travel throughout our state, and provide an important boost to Maine’s economy,” said U.S. Reps. John Baldacci and Tom Allen in a separate joint release.

Airport improvements to be funded by the FAA are:

. Portland International Jetport to receive a total of $1,104,590 in funding under three separate grants, including $518,850 for environmental mitigation initiatives required for construction of new runway safety areas; $281,284 for wetlands mitigation and construction of storm water drains; and $304,456 to conduct a noise compatibility plan study to find ways to measure and mitigate airport noise affecting surrounding communities.

. Bangor International Airport will receive $30,000 for purchase and installation of fingerprinting equipment required for new airport security measures.

. Sanford Regional Airport will receive $123,120 to conduct and update an airport master plan study evaluating the condition of the existing airport structure, analyzing land use and noise contours, and updating the airport layout plan with an eye toward future development.

. Knox County Regional Airport in Owls Head will receive $200,000 in funding for runway rehabilitation. The existing runway has exceeded its useful life and is showing signs of deterioration. Runway reconstruction is slated to be completed in the coming fiscal year.

. Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle will receive $37,000 in funding for construction of new vehicle parking, in accordance with the new 300-foot parking restriction mandated as part of new airport security measures.

. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton will receive three grants totaling $1,370,000, including $820,000 for rehabilitation and expansion of the existing runway apron; $400,000 for the acquisition of new snow removal equipment; and $150,000 for design costs associated with the runway apron project.

. Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport in Auburn will receive $518,000 in funding from two grants, including $68,000 for construction of a new runway safety area in order to meet federal standards, and $450,000 in funding for acquisition of properties located in the runway approach area, in order to provide clearer runway approaches needed for safe aircraft operation.