By Paige Gurgainers

Last week U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy M.D. announced the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be granting Louisiana $4.1M to improve local airports from his new infrastructure law with the City of Springhill being one of them.  

This grant will distribute more than $1.8M for the Springhill Airport’s runway and taxiway rehabilitation project. 

According to airport manager Steven Burdeaux this amount from the FAA covers 90 percent of the project total with the remaining 10 percent coming from the Louisiana DOTD Aviation, equaling just over $2M in pavement improvements.  

“In addition to the funds from the FAA, the Springhill Airport will also be receiving over $764K from Louisiana DOTD Aviation to rehabilitate the airfield lighting, replacing the decades-old electrical systems and upgrading all lighting to more efficient and reliable LED,” said Burdeaux.  

Benton & Brown of Minden was granted the job of completing the asphalt rehabilitation project and Wilhite Electric of Bossier will be finalizing the airfield lighting project.  

“That’s nearly $2.8M being invested in the people of NW Louisiana,” said Burdeaux.  

The City of Springhill called a special meeting on Monday, August 19, to approve two resolutions to accept the city’s 10 percent portion of the federal and state funded projects. They were both unanimously approved with all council members present. 

In a press release put out by his office early last week, Senator Cassidy said, “Improving local airports is crucial to attract businesses, investors and families to Louisiana. With funding from the infrastructure law, we’re making our communities more inviting for new opportunities and building an economy for 2050.” 

Other projects receiving funds from this grant include; City of Ruston, City of Abbeville, Shreveport Airport Authority, Town of Vivian, City of Winnsboro and City of Rayville.