Long Beach Airport has been awarded a $15.3 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to make improvements to its busiest runway, airport officials announced last week.

The funds will go toward a runway used primarily by general aviation flight schools for training operations. The runway will be reconstructed and narrowed to 100 feet in width from its current 150 feet. The work will also include upgrades to a lighting system, two new taxiway approach paths to the runway as well as drainage improvements.

“The grant program funds various infrastructure projects, all of which help create more jobs in Long Beach,” said airport Director Jess Romo in a statement. “Credit goes to our airport engineering team for their efforts in applying for the grant, and to the FAA and (our) congressional delegation for their support.”

– Howard Fine