Runway maintenance equipment at the Quesnel Airport will be upgraded now that the federal government has granted the necessary funds.
About $158,000 was needed to replace the airport's old wet/dry chemical spreader, which Transport Minister Chuck Strahl provided on Wednesday. Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris made the announcement.
"The Government of Canada is investing in the Quesnel Airport to ensure that efficient, safe, and affordable systems are in place to serve British Columbia residents in this community well into the future," said Harris.
Quesnel mayor Mary Sjostrom said the new equipment would help keep the runway safe and clear for aircraft coming and going from the Cariboo city.
"Our airport is a vital piece of infrastructure," said Sjostrom. "Not only does it open up the region for aviation tourism, but it plays a pivotal role in forest fire suppression activities, health-care emergencies and economic development initiatives. The addition of new capital equipment is a necessity and we appreciate the investment the federal government is making in our regional airport."
The funding came from the Airport Capital Assistance Program which is budgeted to invest about $42 million in safety-related improvements to Canadian airports this fiscal year.
