Ted Stevens: “I support the immediate passage of the Airport Improvement Program Temporary Extension Act. The authorization for…”

“I support the immediate passage of the Airport Improvement Program Temporary Extension Act. The authorization for funding capital needs of the Nation's commercial airports and general aviation facilities expired on October 1, 1993. This 8 month period without Airport Improvement authorization has put pressure on airports waiting for the funds to begin construction during this construction season, especially in my State. In Alaska, because of the limited modes of transportation and the long winters, there is a very short time period for the construction of these airport projects. Alaska has less than 12,000 miles of public roads in a State that is one-fifth the size of the United States. Most of our passenger transportation between communities is by aircraft, and the transportation of construction materials to the bush communities is almost strictly by barges that can only run in the summer. This makes this extension of authorization of funds for airport projects extremely important. Airport improvements are necessary in many Alaska communities to keep aircraft transportation in my State running smoothly. Some of the villages are in desperate need of upgrades to the facilities which maintain their airports and the airplanes that are the only transportation link to other communities. Air travel is the lifeblood of their economy.”