08/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/26/2024 13:52
Monday, August 26, 2024 at 12:43 PM - For Immediate Release
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded Sacramento County Department of Airports (SCDA) $1.5 million in its fourth round of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2023. The money will be used to rehabilitate areas of Franklin Field (F72), which is located at the southern end of Sacramento County.
"The partnership between the federal government and the Sacramento County Airport System is crucial to move projects forward for our community. That's why I have been such a strong advocate to secure federal funding," said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. "Franklin Field has long been an important facility for our agricultural sector and residents of southern Sacramento County. By leveraging federal resources like these, we are delivering improvements across every facility in our regional airport system."
Franklin Field was acquired by the County in 1947 from the federal government under the Surplus Property Act. Then known as Franklin Air Force Auxiliary Field, the Airport served as a military flight training site during World War II.
Today, Franklin Field is a public-use airport. Its location away from the busy airspace serving Sacramento International Airport and other area airports makes it ideal for flight training activities. The airport also plays a key role in our agricultural community as it serves aerial applicators. Approximately 20,000 flight operations now take place each year at Franklin Field.
The $1.5 million project involves repaving an access road located along Bruceville Road and approximately 4,600 feet north of its intersection at Twin Cities Road. The project will also rehabilitate the existing airfield apron and taxi lanes at the southeastern portion of the airport. The roadway and portions of the aircraft parking apron will be closed during rehabilitation. The project is limited to existing paved areas.
"Franklin Field has long been popular for flight training and serves important agricultural uses," said Cindy Nichol, Sacramento County's Director of Airports. "This funding allows us to continue to support the general aviation community and contribute to our nation's overall airport system."
The AIP funds airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings. The funding's purpose is to strengthen the nation's aviation infrastructure.
The Sacramento County Department of Airports is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining the county's four airports: Sacramento International Airport, Executive Airport, Mather Airport and Franklin Field. Sacramento International Airport offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 36 destinations. The regional economic impact of the Sacramento County Department of Airports is more than $4 billion annually. For more information, visit sacramento.aero.