FAA Announces $332 Million in Federal Grants to Upgrade Airports in 32

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced over $332 million in grants to upgrade airports in 32 states on Wednesday.

The Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, which stems from the $25 billion earmarked for airport and air traffic control infrastructure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, covers 171 grants throughout 32 states.

The grants can go toward various projects such as baggage upgrades, runway enhancements, terminal expansion, and sustainability, the FAA said.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called the investment “historic,” adding that they will help in addressing the “backlog of needs” while meeting demands from increased air travel.

“These investments—some already completed and many more still underway—ensure the traveling public will have safer and more accessible and efficient airports for decades to come,” he said.

Among those airports receiving funding on Wednesday is the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona, which will get $84.3 million in funding for a 2,100-foot Taxiway Uniform bridge.

The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport in Alaska will receive $18.8 million to expand its terminal and to upgrade its snow removal equipment storage building.

The Tallahassee International Airport in Florida will get $6.7 million for the construction of two taxiways and to upgrade lighting to bring it up to the FAA’s safety standard code.

The Hector International Airport in North Dakota will get $3.9 million for terminal expansion and the addition of four new gates.

The Telluride Regional Airport in Colorado will get $2.6 million for the installation of navigational aids and taxiway construction.

The Ruston Regional Airport in Louisiana will get $324,000 for terminal expansion and to bring the airport up to the FAA’s safety standard code.

The Geraldine Airport in Montana will get $177,840 to repair an existing taxiway and runway. In addition, the grant funds will go toward the purchase of 2.62 acres of land and bring the airport up to the FAA’s safety standard code.

“Today, we invest in critical updates and improvements that help ensure travelers reach their destinations safely and efficiently,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin.

Projects from earlier grant announcements now nearing completion include the Jonesboro Municipal Airport in Arkansas, which received $2.5 million for upgrades, and $300,000 to the Madisonville Regional Airport in Kentucky for the enhancement of safety operations.

“Today’s funding is from one of three aviation grant programs created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” the FAA said. “To date, nearly $12 billion of the $15 billion total of AIG funding has been made available to airports across all 50 states.”