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Stimulus Funds Creating 265 Jobs At Tampa Airport

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: March 24, 2009

TAMPA - Tampa International Airport plans to create more than 265 jobs in two projects beginning this summer with the help of $8 million from the federal stimulus package, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said Monday.

The projects - an elevated taxiway, and site development and infrastructure for the proposed north terminal - are expected to take a year to complete. Work could begin by July.

The stimulus funds will provide a portion of the $52 million for the taxiway project, which will allow aircraft to move between the east and west portions of the airport. It will provide a corridor beneath it for vehicles and a light rail line between the main terminal and north terminal.

In addition, airport officials will launch a $26 million infrastructure project for the site of the proposed north terminal, which is expected to be built by 2020.

"This will put folks back to work," Castor, D-Tampa, said of the projects, which could account for 650 direct and indirect jobs.

Wages for the new jobs are expected to average $21.50 hourly for site work, utilities, electrical systems and hauling.

Because of the infusion of stimulus funds, the taxiway project is being moved up by three years to create work, airport director Louis Miller said.

It also will improve airfield safety in the period before the north terminal is built, because the corridor can be used by vehicles heading to employee parking areas, Miller said.

Congress approved $1.1 billion in U.S. airport improvement funds as part of the $787 billion stimulus bill.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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