U.S. Transportation Secretary, Mayor Announce Funds for Sky Harbor, Break Ground on PHX Sky Train™

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made a special trip to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on March 26, 2009 to present a check for $10.5 million to Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Phoenix City Council members. The funding will make possible a taxiway reconstruction project on the northwest side of the Airport and will create 285 construction jobs.

Secretary LaHood, Mayor Gordon and Phoenix City Council members also broke ground on Sky Harbor's new automated train and unveiled its name: the PHX Sky Train™. Stage One of the PHX Sky Train™ will connect with METRO light rail and transport passengers and employees between 44th Street and Washington, East Economy Parking and Terminal 4. Stage One will be completed in early 2013 and is creating 5,900 jobs.

“We are grateful to our partners in Washington for recognizing the ongoing infrastructure needs at one of the nation’s ten busiest airports,” said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. “We are also excited that the Recovery funding for taxiway improvements is putting nearly 300 Arizonans back to work.”

While in Phoenix, Secretary LaHood also gave the keynote address at the 18th Annual Phoenix International Aviation Symposium.