FAA Shutdown Holds Up Mass. Airport Projects

Managers of some Massachusetts airports are expressing increasing frustration over the continued partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration.

The shutdown is putting several airport projects on hold, including a runway lighting and control tower project in Barnstable.

"The [employee] furlough looks like it's gonna go till after Labor Day," said Barnstable Municipal Airport Manager Bud Breault. "So there could be a trickle-down effect on how that may affect the rest of the construction project."

Breault added, "They should have exercised their authority and did something before they went into recess and taken care of this situation. As far as I'm concerned, it's unconscionable."

The partial shutdown is also holding up airport projects in New Bedford, Pittsfield, Burlington and Lawrence.