WASHINGTON, DC – After Warwick officials unanimously reached an agreement with T.F. Green Airport to move forward with plans to extend the main runway by 1,500 feet and make other key improvements, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“It was a little turbulent there for a while, but I am pleased all parties worked together to reach an agreement to modernize T.F. Green Airport and attract new business and jobs to Rhode Island.  Now we must seize this opportunity to get this project off the ground,” said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee who has helped secure over $111 million in federal funding for T.F. Green over the last decade, including funds to acquire land for noise compatibility, conduct environmental studies, rehabilitate the taxiway, and build new deicing containment facilities.

Now that an agreement has been reached, state officials can apply for federal funding to help cover a portion of the $165 million project, which calls for extending the main runway to 8,700 feet and related safety improvements.  

Senator Reed is scheduled to meet with the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to further advocate for the state’s application.  Reed helped pass a $63.4 billion FAA bill last month that, for the first time in several years, gives airports nationwide the ability to use federal resources to plan and commit to long-term projects.