GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $36,612,500 TO REPLACE PASSENGER LOADING BRIDGES AT AIRPORTS STATEWIDE

For Immediate Release:  March 27, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $36,612,500 to replace passenger loading bridges at Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo international airports. The state Department of Transportation is proactively replacing aging bridges at airports statewide as part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s 12-year, $2.3 billion Airports Modernization Plan.

“These improvements are a critical component in our effort to modernize airports statewide,” said Governor Lingle. “Replacing old passenger loading bridges will not only improve the appearance of our airports for residents and visitors, but also prevent unanticipated breakdowns of the bridges and allow for more efficient airport and airline operations.”

Honolulu International Airport
$22,672,500 has been released to replace 25 passenger loading bridges at boarding gates located in the Diamond Head and ‘Ewa concourses of the airport’s Overseas Terminal. The bridges were originally installed between 1975 and 1990. Governor Lingle also released $750,000 to cover construction management services. All of Honolulu International Airport’s 61 loading bridges are scheduled to be replaced by the end of 2009.

Kahului Airport
$9,620,000 will be used to replace 11 passenger loading bridges at the airport’s northern concourse. The first phase of this project was completed in 2006 and replaced the bridges used by gates 1-21 in the southern concourse. This final phase is scheduled to be completed by mid-2009.

Hilo International Airport
$3,570,000 will fund the replacement of four passenger loading bridges used by gates in the main passenger terminal. The airport’s other three bridges were replaced in 2006. This final phase is scheduled to be completed by mid-2009.

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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