TRENTON (AP) — Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport is getting a more than $1.5 million federal grant to be begin construction of a new taxiway.

The grant from the U.S. Transportation Department was announced Tuesday in a joint statement from Maine U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King. Collins is the ranking member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.

The senators said in the statement that small regional airports are critical in supporting the state economy by providing easier access to rural areas.

They said the grant will help improve safety at the airport.