The Biden-Harris Administration announced a commitment to investing $66.2 million in airport improvements across the United States through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will be distributed to airports in 23 states and Puerto Rico.
The projects, funded exclusively by non-discretionary grant funds under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, aim to modernize airport facilities, enhance safety measures, expand capacity, and replace equipment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates a total of $25 billion over five years for U.S. airports to support these initiatives.
The investment is expected to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and benefit passengers in the long run.
Key highlights of the projects include:
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Rehabilitation of Airport Terminals:
- $133,770 at Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field in Washington
- $1,797,035 at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport in Amarillo, Texas
- $1,278,900 at Great Falls International Airport in Montana
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Purchase of Snow Removal Equipment:
- $924,790 at Lewiston/Nez Perce County in Idaho
- $145,497 at Myers Field in Canby, Minnesota
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Rehabilitation of Towers:
- $1,610,100 at Rafael Hernandez in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
- $190,294 at Joplin Regional in Missouri
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Improvement of Airfield Drainage:
- $890,535 at Minot International Airport in North Dakota
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Purchase of Aircraft Fire and Rescue Equipment:
- $30,000 at Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport in Kansas
- $39,866 at McNary Field in Salem, Oregon
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $15 billion over five years for the AIG program, allowing investments in various airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability initiatives, terminals, airport-transit connections, and roadway projects.
FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, emphasized the goal of quickly replacing and upgrading key infrastructure and equipment to improve facilities for air passengers.
The announcement also highlights that, to date, nearly $9 billion in AIG funding has been made available to airports across the country.
The broader impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is emphasized, noting its historic investment in the nation's infrastructure, focusing on rebuilding roads, bridges, rails, upgrading public transit, modernizing ports and airports, addressing the climate crisis, advancing environmental justice, and promoting economic growth and job creation.
