WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) have announced $669,454 in federal funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for four Eastern Shore airports. The grants will be used to fund repairs and improvements to the airports’ runways, including the removal of large obstructions.

Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) in Salisbury will receive $90,000; the Easton-Newnam Field Airport (ESN) in Easton will receive $89,935; the Bay Bridge Airport (W29) in Stevensville will receive $78,471; and the Crisfield-Somerset County Airport (W41) in Crisfield will receive $411,048.

“Eastern Shore’s regional airports are a key element of local communities’ and businesses’ ability to conduct trade and reach their destinations safely, making them important hubs for local economic activity. These funds are a federal investment in that economic activity and in all of the Eastern Shore’s residents,” said Senator Cardin, Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “I will keep fighting for better roads, bridges and airports for our whole state.”

“Regional and general aviation airports serve as an important resource to communities in our state and are vital to maintaining a strong economy – we must ensure their safety,” said Senator Van Hollen, member of the Senate Appropriations and Budget Committees. “I’m committed to making sure Maryland has the funding it needs to keep all of our airports – both large and small – safe and accessible to our residents.”

These DOT grants will be awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. The program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects across the country, including repairs and upgrades to runways, taxiways, airport signage, lighting and markings – all while creating thousands of well-paying, local jobs.

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