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Biden-Harris Admin Allocates $427M to Modernize US Airports, Increase Safety and Capacity

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the US Department of Transportation, is disbursing $427 million to 245 airport infrastructure projects in 39 states. The funding, provided under the bipartisan infrastructure law’s Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, is part of a larger $25 billion allocation aimed at enhancing US airports. The improvements will include terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway safety enhancements and upgrades to air traffic control infrastructure, all outlined in President Biden’s infrastructure plan.

“Americans are flying in record numbers this summer, and the Biden-Harris Administration continues to invest in our nation’s airports to make travel more convenient for travelers,” US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “The funding we’re announcing, made possible by bipartisan infrastructure legislation, will help airports across the country make the improvements they need to ensure safety and efficiency now and for years to come.”

“Today’s investment is the second largest in AIG history,” Shanetta R., FAA Associate Administrator for Airports. Griffin, PE “We are supporting safety by improving the passenger experience with lighting and runway signage upgrades and new terminals.”

Today, many airports across the United States have been funded for infrastructure improvements:

• John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Ohio receives $29.4 million to build a new terminal tarmac and taxiway and expand existing taxiways, enhancing operational safety.
• El Paso International Airport in Texas has been allocated $10.6 million to build a new general aviation apron and renovate the existing one, increasing efficiency.
• Norman Y. in California. Mineta San Jose International Airport receives $18.1 million to develop a new taxiway and terminal, increasing passenger capacity.
• Southwest Florida International Airport in Florida receives $24.9 million for a new taxiway and concourse apron extension, along with a terminal access road extension featuring an off ramp and three new traffic lanes, specifically for airport traffic.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota has been awarded $8.5 million to expand the terminal access road and upgrade tarmac and taxiways to improve safety.
• Hector International Airport in North Dakota receives $11.2 million to add four gates to its terminal, expanding passenger and baggage handling capacity.
• Dallas Love Field Airport in Texas has been awarded $4.2 million in funding to enhance the airfield drainage system and safety areas of Runway 13/31 to prevent runway excursions and increase safety.
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Kentucky is being awarded $13.6 million to replace the passenger boarding bridge, to facilitate smoother passenger movement.
• Glacier Park International in Montana gets $6 million to enlarge an existing terminal, adding gates, ticketing areas, security checkpoints and passenger holdrooms to serve more travelers.
• Norfolk International Airport in Virginia secures $13 million for the final phase of runway 5/23 rehabilitation and a segment of terminal building expansion to increase capacity.

Today’s allocation stems from the Airport Infrastructure Grant Program, part of three aviation grant initiatives inaugurated under President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation. So far, airports across the country have accessed nearly $9 billion of the $15 billion allocated from the AIG Fund. Additional details about the comprehensive $25 billion earmarked for airport improvements in the infrastructure legislation can be found at faa.gov/bil.

Several airports have successfully executed projects financed by the AIG program under the Bilateral Infrastructure Act, including:

• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, which used $4.4 million to reconstruct the pavement on Runway 12/30, strengthening safety.
• Mobile International Airport in Alabama, where $3.8 million was invested to extend an 870-foot drainage system near the future terminal area, aligned with FAA standards.
• Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, which extended Runway 35L by 1,100 feet with a $3.1 million grant, to accommodate more aircraft and reduce traffic delays.

President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation represents a transformative investment in US infrastructure, increasing the nation’s competitiveness by renovating roads and bridges, upgrading public transit and rail systems, and revitalizing ports and airports. To date, the Administration has funded more than $461 billion under the Act for more than 60,000 infrastructure projects nationwide, in addition to more than $898 billion in private sector investment in U.S. manufacturing and clean energy.