Laserfiche WebLink
<br />recent TxDOT ClP, Aviation <br />Improvement Program 2001-2003, <br />assumed that approximately $32 <br />million annual Federal AlP and $17 <br />million State funds would be available. <br /> <br />The TxDOT Biennial program <br />establishes a project priority system <br />based upon the following objectives (in <br />order of importance): <br /> <br />48 enhance safety <br />48 preserve existing facilities <br />48 bring airport up to standards <br />48 upgrade facilities to aid airport in <br />providing for larger aircraft with <br />longer stage lengths <br />48 improve airport capacity <br />48 new airport construction to provide <br />new access to a previously unserved <br />area <br />48 new airports to provide capacity <br />relief to existing airports <br /> <br />Each airport project for the San Marcos <br />Airport must be identified and <br />programmed into the State CIP and <br />compete with other airport projects in <br />the State for Federal and State funds. <br /> <br />In Texas, airport development projects <br />that meet the TxDOT's discretionary <br />funds eligibility requirements receive <br />90 percent funding from the AlP State <br />Block Grant program. Eligible projects <br />include airfield and apron facilities. <br />However, revenue generating improve- <br />ments such as fuel facilities, utilities, <br />and hangars are not eligible for AlP <br />funding. <br /> <br />TxDOT has also established a program <br />to help airports maintain, and in some <br />circumstances fund new airport <br />pavements and miscellaneous projects. <br /> <br />The Routine Airport Maintenance <br />Program (RAMP) is an annual funding <br />source to airports. With RAMP, TxDOT <br />will provide a 50 percent funding match <br />for projects up to $60,000. The program <br />was initially designed to help airports <br />maintain airside and landside <br />pavements, but has recently been <br />expanded to include construction of new <br />facilities. Examples of new facility <br />construction projects fundable under <br />RAMP include: constructing an airport <br />access road, paving the airport public <br />parking lot, installing security fencing, <br />replacing rotating beacon, etc. These <br />funds are available to general aviation <br />airports on an annual basis. <br /> <br />Newer programs included in TxDOT <br />funding mechanism includes terminal <br />building and ATCT funding. TxDOT <br />has funded terminal building <br />construction on a 50-50 basis up to a <br />$400,000 total project cost. TxDOT has <br />recently considered upgrading the total <br />cost allowance on a case by case basis. <br />TxDOT also will be funding the <br />construction of ATCT, likely one to two <br />per year. The amount of funding <br />available is yet to be determined. <br /> <br />Recent legislation aimed to construct a <br />new general aviation reliever airport in <br />the Austin area failed. The remnants of <br />that bill have been put forward in <br />House Bill 2522 and Senate Bill 1617 <br />recently. These new bills would direct <br />TxDOT to establish and maintain a new <br />general aviation airport in the central <br />Texas area. It is possible that San <br />Marcos could be named as the new <br />Central Texas Regional Airport. If San <br />Marcos is transferred to TxDOT for <br />daily operation, TxDOT would assume <br />responsibility for many ofthe day to day <br /> <br />6-7 <br />