Nut Tree Airport Gets Improvement Grant

BAY AREA — Three airports in the San Francisco Bay Area will share $10.1 million in grant money from the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced Thursday.

Mineta San Jose International Airport will receive $5.3 million to upgrade runway lighting.

Oakland International Airport will receive $4.35 million to install airfield guidance signs and make taxiway, apron and service road repairs.

Nut Tree Airport, which is northeast of Vacaville in Solano County, will receive $430,765 to install perimeter fencing.

The money is part of a $770.8 million installment, the third, of a total of $3.18 billion in improvement program money.

"These Airport Improvement Grants are investments in our country's critical infrastructure," Chao said in a statement. "These grants are down payments to ensure these Bay Area airports remain economic engines as demand grows."

According to the FAA, improvement grants are earmarked for projects for runways, taxiways, aprons and terminals.

FAA officials said the grants are important for the safety and efficiency of the nation's airports.

Airports receive some improvement grants each year based on activity level and project needs but money is also available to supplement the grants if needs exceed the initial entitlement, FAA officials said.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock