"St. Louis to ask for $100 Million More for Runway"

Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Griggs to ask for $100 Million More for Runway
Construction is underway on a tunnel that will route Lindbergh Blvd. under
the new runway.
By Matt Sepic
KWMU 907AM NPR, St. Louis (MO)

  
ST. LOUIS - Lambert Airport Director Leonard Griggs is hoping to get another
$100 million in federal funding for the airport's runway expansion, and will
meet with FAA officials Friday. 

Griggs says American Airlines' cuts, the September 11th attacks, and the
national recession are resulting in a major drop in passenger fees.

"In order to get this thing done on time, we need some relief on this
thing," Griggs said. "The American action has cut back severely the
capability of this airport to generate the cash flow. The bonds and all the
rest are protected, I'm not worried about that, but it's getting this runway
done in a timely fashion."

The runway, known as W-1W, is scheduled for completion in 2006, though the
terminal expansion is on hold indefinitely.

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