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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $20.5 million for 25 grants across 14 states and Puerto Rico to modernize airports under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, part of the $25 billion total included in the law over a period of five years for airport and air traffic control infrastructure improvements.
“Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden-Harris Administration has made historic investments in our nation’s airports – investments that will make air travel safer and more efficient for decades to come,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With today’s funding, the latest to be announced under President Biden’s leadership, we’re making sure more airports across the country are equipped to handle Americans’ growing demand for air travel.”
Nearly three million people travel by air every day in the United States. According to the Census of Governments (CoG) from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 435 independent special districts operating as airport authorities, airport commissions, or port authorities across the United States. In addition, local governments such as counties and municipalities, and state governments, may also operate airport authorities. They are all responsible for the behind-the-scenes operations at public airports. As of the 2022 CoG, there were 435 independent airport authorities and commissions nationwide. The Midwest had the most (189) of any region, followed by the South (159).
Airports Receiving New Funding
- $4.2 million to Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in Puerto Rico to rehabilitate existing pavement on Runway 9/27 to maintain the structural integrity, minimize foreign object debris, and enhance safety.
- $3 million to Del Rio International Airport in Texas to shift existing paved Taxiways B, C, D and E to remove direct access and bring the airport into conformity with current FAA standards and to enhance safety.
- $1.7 million to Meridian Regional Airport/Key Field in Mississippi to construct two new airport owned hangars for aircraft storage and maintenance to assist the airport to be as self-sustaining as possible.
- $1.5 million to Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport in Texas to reconstruct 6,000 feet of existing paved Runway 18/36 that has reached the end of its useful life.
- $341,735 to Massena International Airport-Richards Field in New York to replace the roof of the existing terminal building.
Projects Starting From Earlier Grant Announcements
- On November 13, Muhlenberg County Airport in Greenville, Kentucky hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new hangar building. The new 10,000-square-foot hangar building will house the Fixed-Wing portion of the Madisonville Community College (MCC) Flight School Program. A total of $997,928.00 in federal funding was used for this project, this includes $549,928 in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds and $448,000 in AIG funds.
- On December 4, H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport in Fairhope, Alabama hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open their new terminal building. This project expanded the terminal building from 1,224 to 4,148 square feet and provided funding to construct a parking lot and sidewalks for the terminal building. The FAA provided $1,794,206 in Airport Terminal Program (ATP) and $82,581 in AIG funds for a total Federal investment of $1,876,787.
- On December 9, John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking event for a new terminal building. Construction for the new terminal is expected to be completed in early 2029, the airport’s 100th anniversary, and will include one centralized security checkpoint for ease and efficiency, seamless connection to the transportation center, energy efficient systems to reduce energy impact and a reclaimed water system to minimize usage. The new terminal will have 36 gates that will be able to accommodate 51% more passengers daily. The airport received a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant in FY24 for $29,451,778 for pavement infrastructure associated with the terminal and airfield and intends to use FY25 AIG funds to continue with terminal and airfield infrastructure improvements.
“Today’s investments continue our vital work of keeping passengers safe, improving their travel experience, and helping our airports be great neighbors, while demonstrating our commitment to safety, sustainability, and capacity for generations to come,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Airports – More Safety, Capacity Improvements On Way
Click for more.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $20.5 million for 25 grants across 14 states and Puerto Rico to modernize airports under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, part of the $25 billion total included in the law over a period of five years for airport and air traffic control infrastructure improvements.
“Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden-Harris Administration has made historic investments in our nation’s airports – investments that will make air travel safer and more efficient for decades to come,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With today’s funding, the latest to be announced under President Biden’s leadership, we’re making sure more airports across the country are equipped to handle Americans’ growing demand for air travel.”
Nearly three million people travel by air every day in the United States. According to the Census of Governments (CoG) from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 435 independent special districts operating as airport authorities, airport commissions, or port authorities across the United States. In addition, local governments such as counties and municipalities, and state governments, may also operate airport authorities. They are all responsible for the behind-the-scenes operations at public airports. As of the 2022 CoG, there were 435 independent airport authorities and commissions nationwide. The Midwest had the most (189) of any region, followed by the South (159).
Airports Receiving New Funding
Projects Starting From Earlier Grant Announcements
“Today’s investments continue our vital work of keeping passengers safe, improving their travel experience, and helping our airports be great neighbors, while demonstrating our commitment to safety, sustainability, and capacity for generations to come,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.