BIA gets grant to upgrade runway safety

BANGOR – The Bangor International Airport has received more than $1.6 million in federal funding as part of an annual airport improvement program funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

From the grant, $1,036,008 will be used for the construction of a runway safety area and to modify service roads. Another $590,000 will be used to install security enhancements and an access control system.

A permanent road will be installed around the runway on the south end of the landing area, so vehicles can cross safely from one side of the runway to the other, according to airport director Rebecca Hupp.

Hupp said a runway safety area adjacent to the landing area will be created to give pilots more room in the event of losing control of a landing and going off the runway.

In addition to runway area improvements, the airport will look into upgrading its close-circuit television cameras in the terminal, Hupp said.