FORT MYERS, Florida – The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $13.6 million grant to Page Field (FMY), a general aviation airport operated by the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA).

The grant was made under the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which awards funds to eligible airports for necessary planning and development projects. As the FAA-designated reliever airport for Southwest Florida International Airport handling nearly 97,000 operations in 2015, Page Field is vital to the air transportation system in Southwest Florida, airport officials note.

Page FieldThe grant will allow LCPA to proceed with the rehabilitation of Page Field’s primary-use Runway 05/23 and associated taxiways.

Specifically, it will fund enhancements to the airfield’s lighting, drainage and signage, improvements to the structural integrity of the runway and taxiways and additional safety upgrades to better serve those flying in and of Page Field.

These improvements are necessary to repair the 20-plus year-old pavement, extend its useful life and bring it up to current FAA standards, airport officials explained.