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WASHINGTON - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that Bishop International Airport in Flint would receive $1.5 million in federal funding as an initial step to developing an intermodal cargo hub. The funding for Bishop was included in the House Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 which passed the House of Representatives today with Congressman Kildee’s support. The funding was inserted at Kildee’s personal request and will be earmarked to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program.
“I am pleased I was able to secure this vital funding for Bishop Airport as a critical first step to developing an intermodal hub that will grow our regional economy,” said Kildee. “Bishop Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the country and with its proximity to major interstates and rail lines, it is ideally situated to be a cargo hub for the region, bringing new jobs and tremendous economic benefits to mid-Michigan.”
“We greatly appreciate the efforts of Congressman Kildee for this important project,” said Airport Director Jim Rice. “While this money will help expand the cargo apron, we are continuing to explore additional opportunities to raise the $35 million necessary to develop the intermodal hub. The economic benefits of the hub will be realized throughout this region and help support many vital jobs for the community.”
Bishop Airport will use the $1.5 million to expand its west cargo apron to accommodate both additional and larger freight aircraft. Cargo ramps and aprons are used for parking aircraft while they are being loaded and unloaded. Currently, the ramp is able to accommodate a maximum of three DC-9 aircraft. Expanding the apron would allow the airport to accommodate up to six longer-haul Airbus 300 series planes, and at the same time handle multiple small Caravan aircraft.
Last year, Kildee secured $1.6 million in federal funding for improvements to Bristol Road in order to accommodate the hub project as part of a six-year reauthorization of federal highway programs. The funding Kildee secured will facilitate easier access from Bristol Road to the expanded cargo facilities. Bristol Road links the airport to I-69, I-75 and the CN Rail yard.
Bishop Airport is the third busiest airport in Michigan and is one of the fastest growing airports in America, generating close to $200 million of business activity to firms in the region. It is situated at the junction of I-69, I-75 and US 23, as well as the Canadian National (CN) and CSX railroads. These heavily-traveled corridors are major arteries of freight movement through the state of Michigan, and are key trade routes that connect the state to Canada, Mexico and beyond. A new intermodal hub at Bishop would utilize these major corridors to help businesses in Michigan meet their cargo needs to capitalize on domestic and international markets. |
