Wiscasset Municipal Airport Manager Rick Tetrev said paving work is likely for August with the $200,000 in federal funds U.S. Sen. Collins announced July 6. In text and email responses, Tetrev confirmed the project had already been planned and the funds, anticipated.

“It won't interupt flying. We have not heard who has the contract yet. Too extensive a job for (the town’s public works department). It would be nice if they could,” he added. “The crack repair will extend the life of the aircraft parking area for four or five years, at which time we hope to replace the area with new, like we are doing with the runway in the near future.”

The runway work would be funded separately from the work Collins announced, Tetrev said. He anticipates $3.2 million to $3.6 million in federal funds in 2021 for the runway work.

Collins chairs the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. The release listed the $200,000 for Wiscasset’s airport to do sealing and crack repair for 18,000 square yards of the terminal and the surface of the based aircraft apron; and $345,000 for Eastport Municipal Airport to rebuild 4,000 feet of runway and install 800 feet of drainage improvements. The projects are funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program, according to the release.

“Just like airports around the world, Maine airports are struggling to make ends meet given the sharp downturn in passenger traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Collins said. “These investments in Maine’s airport infrastructure will help promote job creation while improving the safety and efficiency of operations.”