$2.5 Million in State Funding Awarded to Upgrade Taxiway at Trenton-Mercer Airport

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the governor's office.

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno and Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner James Simpson on Thursday visited Trenton-Mercer Airport to announce $2.5 million in State funding for the rehabilitation of nearly 27,000 square yards of an airport taxiway to improve safety and swift airplane access to runways.

The announcement launches the first part of a $12 million project to upgrade several taxiways. The work includes paving, grading, and installing lights, drainage and pavement markings. In addition to the $2.5 million provided by the State, Mercer County is contributing $132,000 and is seeking grants from the Federal Aviation Administration for the balance.

“The commitment Frontier Airlines has made to make Trenton-Mercer Airport the base of its East Coast operations will boost the region’s economy, creating new jobs and opportunities for residents right here in Mercer County,” said Acting Governor Guadagno. “These improvements will help Frontier better serve its customers while also contributing to the long-term and ongoing success of Trenton-Mercer Airport.”

Frontier is making Trenton-Mercer its first northeast base. The airline already provides non-stop service to Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, New Orleans, Orlando and Tampa and has announced additional new non-stop service from Trenton-Mercer to Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, and Raleigh/Durham starting in April.

“Regional airports such as Trenton-Mercer are an increasingly important part of New Jersey’s transportation network,” said NJDOT Commissioner Simpson. “They offer convenient alternatives to the region’s major airports for business and leisure travelers and help drive economic development and job creation.”

Frontier Airlines expects more than 200,000 passengers will board its flights from Trenton-Mercer this year.

“Frontier appreciates the partnership we are developing with the State of New Jersey and Mercer County to make cost-effective improvements to Trenton-Mercer,” said Daniel Shurz, Frontier’s senior vice president, commercial. “They are important as we continue to expand the range of destinations we make available from convenient Trenton-Mercer Airport.”

“Investing in capital improvements at Mercer County's Trenton-Mercer Airport will continue to raise the profile of this vital transportation hub,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “We thank the Acting Governor and Commissioner Simpson for joining our enthusiasm and our efforts to make this the premier airport in the region."

New Jersey’s airports create 231,000 jobs and an annual payroll of more than $9 billion. More than $31 billion of annual economic activity is generated by New Jersey commercial airports. The Federal Aviation Administration forecasts that by 2025, Trenton-Mercer will serve 11 million people and that air travel overall will increase by 50 percent.