Federal funds to make runway safety upgrades to MSP
Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport is among 21 facilities to receive money from the federal government for runway safety upgrades over the next three years.
The aim is to prevent so-called runway "incursions", such as pilots having to taxi around vehicles that should not be on or near the runway. There were 14 runway "incursions" at Minneapolis St. Paul airport between 2004 and 2007, none resulting in injury.
Airport spokesman, Pat Hogan, says one improvement involves special runway signal lights.
"They're talking about putting in some runway status lights so that when aircraft are taxing to a runway or they're getting ready to takeoff, there would be a series of lights on the pavement itself which would let them know if it was not safe to cross the runway or takeoff," Hogan said.
Hogan said Twin Cities International Airport has a strong safety record and the new lights will only enhance that record.
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