Washington, D.C.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today congratulated Tucson International Airport on receiving a grant of nearly $6.9 million from the Federal Aviation Administration, part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), to rehabilitate a major runway and ensure continuity of service.

The award of $6,876,043 will be used to upgrade and clear the pavement on Runway 3/21, which measures approximately 7,000 feet by 150 feet. Runway 3/21 is one of only two at the airport wide enough for most commercial air traffic – a third, Runway 11R/29L, is 75 feet wide and is used primarily for other purposes.

“This is a great opportunity for Tucson to improve its air traffic capacity and stay competitive in the job market,” Grijalva said. “Commercial flights need runway space, and cargo planes need to know there’s a viable option available in Tucson when they’re planning their routes. This is a great investment in Tucson’s economic future, and I hope to see infrastructure improvements receive the attention they deserve from all levels of government in the months ahead.”

For more information, contact Tucson Airport Authority CEO Bonnie Allin at (520) 573-8100 or regional DOT official Brian Armstrong at (310) 725-3644.