Governor Lingle releases $8,310,000 for improvements to Kahului Airport

Governor Linda Lingle has released $8,310,000 in construction funds for apron pavement and taxiway improvements at Kahului Airport.

These projects are part of the $1.8 billion public infrastructure construction plan unveiled by Governor Lingle in December to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Progress of the more than 1,500 projects included in the plan can be tracked on the Governor’s website at www.hawaii.gov/cip.

"In the same way we strive to create a convenient airport experience for travelers, it is important for our airports to be safe and suitable for busy aircraft operations," said Governor Lingle. "These projects will perform taxiway and apron improvements at Kahului Airport so that it can better serve its interisland and overseas carriers."

Extensive cracking along the asphalt concrete aircraft apron at Kahului Airport has caused pieces of asphalt to break loose. In addition, the existing hardstand (the hard-surfaced areas where aircraft park) at the airport is not long enough for wide-bodied aircraft operations and is suffering from cracks.

This project includes pavement reconstruction of the apron, and extending the width of the existing hardstand by 20 feet at a depth of 15 inches. In addition, the asphalt concrete pavement between the hardstand and the terminal-side edge of Taxiway A will be removed and replaced at a depth of 15 inches at the gates that service overseas flights, and at a depth of 5 inches at gates that service only interisland flights.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $22,410,000, which includes $505,000 previously released for design and $15 million in funds that the state Department of Transportation will be receiving as part of the federal stimulus plan.

Design is completed. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2009 and be completed in May 2010.

This project will extend Taxiway A and the new aircraft parking apron near the new Alien Species Action Plan (ASAP) Building and new Cargo Building in order to improve access for cargo aircraft.

The total cost of this project is estimated to be $5,005,000, which includes $100,000 previously released for design and $3.5 million in federal funds.

Design is completed. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2010, when federal funds become available, and be completed in September 2010.

For more information contact:

Brennon Morioka

Director, Dept. of Transportation

Phone: (808) 587-2150

Lenny Klompus

Senior Advisor – Communications

Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang

Chief of Media Relations

Phone: (808) 586-0043