WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced a total of $13,492,653 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia. The funding will be used to repair the 5-end runway where the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) structure collapsed in 2015.
“As our state’s largest airport, Yeager plays a key role in the economy and is relied on by thousands of travelers each year,” Senator Capito said. “Since the 2015 landslide, I’ve been leading efforts in the Senate to secure funding for these repairs through my role on the Appropriations Committee. This funding is sure to benefit West Virginians in the near term and for years to come, and I’m pleased to help announce it today.”
“Since 2015, I have fought to secure the funding that Yeager Airport needs to finally begin repairing the runway that collapsed in a landslide,” Senator Manchin said. “As a pilot myself, I understand how crucial it is for us to maintain our airport infrastructure, especially in our capital city. Yeager Airport serves an important role in West Virginia, helping our businesses export their products, tourists travel to our great state and introducing who we are to the world. I am glad this funding will help the airport repair its runway so it can further strengthen its infrastructure and continue to support economic growth in West Virginia.”
The March 13, 2015, Yeager Airport landslide was a result of severe winter weather and caused the airport’s EMAS to collapse, moving 800,000-CY of earth and debris. Utility electric, fiber optics, water and sewer services were in the path of the landslide and were eventually disrupted. After several days, the earth and debris that moved downhill from the reinforced soil fill and EMAS site finally rested on the road below.
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