Katrina and Rita damaged airports will receive $16 million

Four airports in Texas and Louisiana that were damaged by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina will receive more than $16 million as the first installment of federal funds to pay for repairs, according to Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. Louisiana’s Lake Charles Regional Airport will receive almost $8 million to fund repairs to the terminal building and airport fire station, as well as to repair and replace runway signs. Chennault International Airport, also in Lake Charles, will receive more than $36,000 to repair fencing that protects the airport’s lighting equipment. Southeast Texas Regional Airport will receive almost $6 million to repair the terminal and fire buildings, replace navigational equipment and lighting, repair damaged fire trucks and replace runway signs. Lakefront Airport in New Orleans will receive more than $2 million to repair a retaining wall, runways and taxiways that were damaged when the airport was flooded after Hurricane Katrina.

Mineta called the grants “down payments” and pledged his department would be a “full partner” with hurricane stricken communities working to rebuild their transportation systems.