Council OKs PHX Project Funded in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is home to the first City of Phoenix project to benefit from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed late last year by Congress, starting with construction of a long-awaited cross-field taxiway connecting the north and south airfields. The taxiway project was approved April 20 by the Phoenix City Council.
Estimated to cost $260 million, the 2,000-foot taxiway will join the north and south airfields on the west end of the airport, allowing for better aircraft flow for airfield operations. Design has begun on the project and Federal environmental approvals are expected late this summer. Approximately $194 million is anticipated to come from monies set aside by the infrastructure package with the balance being paid from Passenger Facility Charges and airport revenues.
“This airfield project is another step in connecting Phoenix to the world. As one of the first projects for the city identified for delivery under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this new taxiway will reduce aircraft taxi time, improve utilization of all runways, and add capacity for our airline partners,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Infrastructure investments like this make our city even more attractive to the global aviation industry including travelers using Sky Harbor.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also set aside $5 billion over five years in competitive grants for airport terminal projects, along with other competitive grant opportunities for projects that promote sustainability. Some possible projects to support Phoenix Sky Harbor’s increasing passenger traffic could include: A second north concourse at Terminal 3, a pedestrian bridge between Terminals 3 and 4, infrastructure improvements at Terminal 4, upgrades to garage lighting, new solar installations, and replacement of fleet vehicles with electric vehicles.
“When we improve aircraft flow for Sky Harbor, we increase opportunities for our airport around the world – both in business and leisure travel," said District 4 Vice Mayor Laura Pastor. "As a member of our Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee, I am consistently looking for opportunities to boost Phoenix’s global connectivity, and this new taxiway will do just that.”
“This is an important infrastructure investment, and I am proud to see Sky Harbor become the first in our city to benefit from this federal funding," said District 6 Councilman Sal DiCiccio. "As one of the world’s busiest airports, it’s high time we bring in this cross-field taxiway and improve aircraft flow.”
“Sky Harbor is the world’s doorway to our great city, and I am excited to further enhance that entrance point with this new taxiway," said District 8 Councilmember Carlos Garcia. "Not only that, but I look forward to supporting the future projects coming from this federal funding. Improvements to our airport are improvements to our whole city.”
