Last Friday, the Monterey Peninsula Airport District (MPAD) initiated their Runway Area Safety (RSA) project at the Monterey Regional Airport with a groundbreaking ceremony on the Airport’s Observation Deck. Representative Sam Farr (D-Carmel) joined the festivities voicing his strong support for this safety project. In addition to Congressman Farr, two representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Robin Hunt and Brian Armstrong along with John Pfeifer from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Administration (AOPA) joined the MPAD Board in the celebration.
MPAD Board Chairman Carl Miller hosted the ceremonies, thanking the more than 40 attendees for their continued support of the Airport. “This is the largest grant the FAA has ever given the Monterey Airport, estimated to be $52 million, and the largest construction project undertaken to date by the Airport. We appreciate and are indebted to the FAA for the many hours staff at the FAA Airport District office in Brisbane and at the Regional office in Los Angeles have spent with us to get this project off the ground and make a ‘Safe Airport Safer’.
In his comments, Congressman Farr noted the important role the Airport plays in the local economy and expressed his support for the upcoming Airport Master Plan.
MPAD General Manager Tom Greer reminded the audience, “This project came about in 2005 when Congress mandated runway safety area improvements at commercial airports across the country.”
Greer said that the public will begin to see shrub and tree removal and temporary fencing on the east end of the Airport in Early February. He also noted that information on the project and the construction schedule is available under a link on the Airport’s web site at www.montereyairport.com
