Oakland Airport gets $37.4 million in funding for new pavement on runway

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland International Airport has received $37.4 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration's airport improvement program to rehabilitate the facility's main runway, airport officials said.

Runway 12-30's last pavement overlay was done in 2001 and it is currently due for another in order to provide a safe operating surface,

according to airport officials.

The runway is in operation 24 hours per day, so airport staff are working with airlines and other stakeholders to minimize the impacts of

closing the runway by converting an existing taxiway into a temporary runway to avoid interruption.

"Oakland International is in the midst of strong economic growth, with more destinations than ever in our 90-year history," said Bryant L. Francis, Port of Oakland Director of Aviation. "The upcoming rehabilitation of Runway 12-30 has been a collaborative effort with the FAA and is made possible by this significant grant award and the ongoing support of our congressional delegation. This critical project will ensure our primary air carrier runway remains functional and safe for all users."

"The Oakland International Airport is a major travel center and economic engine for the entire Bay Area, and this funding will help ensure it

remains competitive with our nation's world class airports," U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, said in a statement.

Airport officials are also working to improve the area around the Terminal 1 security checkpoint and expand the international arrivals building to enable the airport to process more passengers.

Click here for more information on the project. and click here to check the status of your flight.

ABC7 News contributed to this story.