Kaptur: Middle Bass Island Airport Secures $223,405 for Runway Improvements
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) today announced that the Middle Bass Island Airport has secured $223,405 in a competitive grant award for designated runway improvements, to include new sealing and remarking of 1,855 feet of Runway 10/28 to “maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris.” The competitive grant was awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA.
“For Middle Bass Island residents, the airport is their lifeline in the winter,” Kaptur said. “Medical emergencies, mail delivery, access to medicine, and school transportation all depend on a well-functioning Middle Bass Island Airport. The airport is central for the entire Middle Bass Island community, and these funds are a wise investment.”
The FAA is an agency within the Department of Transportation and administers the airport runway improvement program.
According to the State of Ohio Department of Transportation: “the airport has a unique role for the community. During the summer months the airport serves aircraft charters and recreational flying. However, during the winter months, ferry service to the island is suspended and the airport serves as the only transportation between the island and the mainland. Services provided include emergency medical transport, mail, general supplies and medicine, transportation of school children and other charter services. Griffings Flying Service is the primary charter company serving the airport from the mainland.”
Background from the Department of Transportation:
• This grant will provide federal funding for the Middle Bass Island Airport in Ohio.
• This project will fund crack seal, crack repair, and remarking to rehabilitate 1,855 feet of Runway 10/28 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris.
• This project will fund crack seal, crack repair, and remarking to rehabilitate 1,855 feet of parallel Taxiway A needed to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement.
• This project will fund crack seal, crack repair, and remarking to rehabilitate 15,400 square yards of the apron to maintain structural integrity of the pavement.
• Middle Bass Island Airport is a general aviation airport associated with Middle Bass Island, Ohio. The local point of contact is the Put-In-Bay Township Port Authority.
Kaptur is a senior member the House Appropriations Committee that has funding and oversight responsibilities for the Department of Transportation.
For more information:
Background on the Department of Transportation grant award: https://grants.ost.dot.gov/public/ViewMessage.cfm?MsgID=jihl9gp6bq
Middle Bass Island: https://www.middlebass.org/
State of Ohio background on Middle Bass Island airport: https://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Operations/Aviation/OhioAirportsFocusStudy/FindingsandRecommendationsDocs/EconomicImpactBrochures/Middle%20Bass-Middle%20Bass%20Island.pdf
YouTube video of landing a plane at Middle Bass airport: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P-br2GVM-I
The Put-In-Bay Township Port Authority may be reached at (419) 285-3371.
###