Vernon Regional Airport will receive $823,700 in funding from the B.C. Air Access Program this year for runway rehabilitation, announced MLA for Vernon-Monashee Eric Foster on behalf of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“We want people to continually explore all the great sites and cities that B.C. has to offer,” said Foster. “One way to encourage that means making investments in infrastructure, like the $823,700 we are putting towards YVE, ensuring that our airports are in good shape and operating at their best.”

The upgrades to the runway include paving the entire surface and some stabilization work, as well as a number of other upgrades that will increase the safety and efficiency of the runway.

Through the B.C. Air Access Program, the ministry cost shares with public airports on projects such as lighting and navigational systems, terminal building expansion or upgrades, and runway improvements. These types of projects will allow airports to improve safety, accommodate larger aircraft and more frequent flights, and further support the continuing growth of local and provincial economies.

The ministry has committed $24 million over the past three years for the B.C. Air Access Program. This year’s program is providing $10 million for airport infrastructure improvement projects throughout the province. The program also encourages funding partnerships with the federal government, local and regional governments and agencies, and the private sector. Last year, the program provided $8 million toward improvements at 23 regional airports.

The B.C. Air Access Program is part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan. Over the next three years the ministry and its partners are investing over $4.6 billion in priority transportation investments as part of this plan.

Learn More:

For information on the B.C. Air Access program, go to: http://www.gov.bc.ca/BCAirAccessProgram