NEWS RELEASES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2006

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VTrans to Conduct Public Presentations of Airport Policy Plan

Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will hold two public presentations on Sept. 20 regarding Vermont's Airport System and Policy Plan.

VTrans is in the process of updating the plan, which provides the Agency with updated airport system planning products, policy recommendations, and a framework for evaluating the State's aviation infrastructure needs.

Public presentations of the draft plan will take place at the following locations and times on September 20th:

* Montpelier

1 p.m. ~ Montpelier
Vermont Agency of Transportation
National Life Building
Board Room, 5th Floor

* Rutland

7 p.m. ~ Rutland
Rutland State Airport
Civil Air Patrol Building

The primary objectives of these updates are to:

Identify and analyze aviation assets and State's need to assure that aviation performs a strong role for Vermont's economy and its citizens.
Provide continued guidance for the development of an airport system that meets the State's existing and future air transportation needs.
Build consensus among public policy makers, airport sponsors and airport users so that the plan's recommendations can be readily accomplished.

The Airport System and Policy Plan identifies goals and associated performance measures to guide the development of Vermont's airport system. Goals that have been used to guide the Plan can be categorized as follows:

Accessibility
Development
Safety and security
Funding and economics
Maintenance

Within each of these goal categories, specific performance measures, existing performance and a future target performance have been identified. These measures will assist in the evaluation of how investments in airport infrastructure can provide increased performance, and ensure investment is focused on improving the airport system's accessibility, development, safety, security, and maintenance.

As part of the Airport System and Policy Plan, VTrans is interested in obtaining public comment and input. To date, comments have been received through members of the Study Advisory Committee established for the study, as well as the Vermont Aviation Advisory Council.

For additional information on the Vermont Airport System and Policy Plan, please contact Scott Bascom of the Policy and Planning Division of VTrans at 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05633-5001, or 802.828.5748.

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