Home » County Announces Trenton-Mercer Airport Success and Improvements

County Announces Trenton-Mercer Airport Success and Improvements

by Mary Galioto

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced this week that, in a recently released report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) ranks 19th among the Eastern Region’s 59 commercial service airports when it comes to the number of passengers utilizing the facility.

The report, which covers a 12-month period ending March 31, 2015, shows that TTN served 394,815 passengers. This is a 105%  increase over the same period last year. The same report also illustrates that Frontier Airlines took in over $33 million in revenue at TTN, a 98% increase over the identical period last year.

“I believe this confirms, once and for all, that there is an overwhelming demand for commercial passenger service here and it is finally being met. It also demonstrates that this is a very viable market for any airline willing to make a commitment here,” said Executive Hughes.

Last week, Executive Hughes also announced that the second phase of a four-phase rehabilitation of Taxiways H, B, and F, was completed at the Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN). When fully completed, Taxiways H, B, and F will be totally reconstructed with new pavement, new lighting, and of course new markings.

The cost of this phase was paid for through a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant of $2,751,427, a New Jersey Department of Transportation grant of $152,507, and matching funds from Mercer County in the amount of $153,207.

The taxiways were deteriorated prior to construction and had a very high Foreign Object Debris (FOD) potential, as the pavement of these taxiways were literally cracking and had potential to release small pebble-like fragments. FOD is a major safety issue for aircraft. The reconstruction of the taxiways incorporates the strength for the existing aircraft fleet, which will increase the general safety for the flying public at the airport. This project will also increase energy efficiency and reduce electrical costs for the airport with the replacement of the existing incandescent taxiway lighting system with LED taxiway edge lights. These lights are also easier to see in inclement weather.

In addition to this project, TTN has received funding for a number of safety-related and maintenance-related projects, including:

  • The FAA has approved another $4,500,000 for the next phase of the Taxiway H,B,F Project.
  • $1,070,693 from the FAA for the EMAS (Engineered Material Arresting System) Runway 6/24 Construction – Phase I at TTN.  Payment was received on Sept. 3, 2015. EMAS is a safety system placed at the end of TTN’s runways that prevents an aircraft from over-shooting the runway. All of TTN’s runways have EMAS.
  • $48,139, from the FAA for the Airport Master Plan Project at TTN. Payment was received on Sept. 3, 2015.
  • $800,204 from the FAA for the rehabilitation of Taxiways H, D, and F – FAA Phase I Project at TTN.  Payment was received on Aug. 31, 2015.
  • $8,432 from the FAA for the RPZ (Runway Protection Zone) Obstruction Removal – Environmental Assessment at TTN.  Payment was received on Sept. 16, 2015.
  • $4,151 from the FAA for the RPZ Obstruction Study Project at TTN. Payment was received on Sept. 16, 2015.

Additionally, installation of new perimeter protection fencing at the airport was begun on Sept. 21, 2015. This project involves upgrading the perimeter fencing to a height of 10 feet with 1 foot of barbed wire on top. Several airport access gate upgrades will also be included. This project should be completed in 120 days.

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