Long Island MacArthur Airport to get nearly $2.1M in federal funding for improvements

The Town of Islip will receive nearly $2.1 million in federal funding for improvements at Long Island MacArthur Airport, it was announced Thursday. 

The money earmarked for MacArthur will be used for taxiway signage and lighting rehabilitation, snow removal equipment access, holding bays and reconstruction of the airport deicing system, according to a statement from U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

The funding is part of nearly $60 million for improvements at more than two dozen airports around New York State, among them Buffalo-Niagara International, Syracuse Hancock International, Griffiss International in the Mohawk Valley, Plattsburgh International, Watertown International, Elmira Corning Regional and Ithaca Tompkins International.

“From big cities like Buffalo [and] Syracuse to our rural communities in the North Country, Upstate NY’s regional airports are gateways for commerce, tourism and travel for residents," Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement, adding: "It is essential that they have the resources they need to deliver a safe and comfortable experience to all travelers."

Also in a statement, Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said: “New York’s airports welcome millions of travelers each year, and it is vital that they have up-to-date infrastructure needed for passengers to travel safely. This nearly $60 million in federal funding will bring much-needed safety and infrastructure improvements to airports across New York State.”

At MacArthur, $1.35 million will be used for holding bay construction; $363,600 for taxiway signage, lighting and rehabilitation; $219,090 toward a snow removal equipment access road; and $117,207 toward a deicing system reconstruction.

“We appreciate our elected officials advocating for federal funding to support Long Island MacArthur Airport," airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken said in a statement Thursday.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”