Westhampton's Gabreski Airport Receives $2.4 Million for Runway Rehab

U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday $2,486,087 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for Francis S. Gabreski Airport.

The grant, provided to Suffolk County, is designated for the rehabilitation and resurfacing of runway 15/33, one of three runways at Gabreski Airport. The project includes crack repair, concrete spall repair, joint replacement and concrete panel replacement

The airport is home to the 106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard and supports more than 60,000 flights a year. The project will create about 50 construction and engineering jobs in Suffolk County over the next year, according to officials.

“This funding will provide critically important repairs to the runways at Gabreski Airport,” Zeldin said. “This federal grant is especially necessary to support the 106th Rescue Wing of the New York Air National Guard, which plays a crucial role to protect our national security and New York’s emergency response capabilities. My staff and I have been working closely on this initiative with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and I am especially proud to see this effort moving forward so positively.”

Schumer said the runway repairs will improve safety and Gillibrand added that Gabreski Airport is a vital economic anchor for Long Island. 

“This is an important project for an important regional asset,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.