Summary
$2 billion in federal airport grants awarded for projects across the US
Funding includes 519 grants in 48 states and external territories
Projects funded range from safety improvements to contaminant removal
The White House and FAA announced on September 6th over $2 billion in grants to improve airport infrastructure across the United States. Earlier this year, the Senate allocated almost $20 for airport infrastructure projects as part of its ongoing Airport Improvement Program (AIP). It also reauthorized the FAA for another five years with a budget of $105 billion.
$2 billion federal funding in airport grants
The FAA’s announcement for airport development included 48 states as well as the external territories of Guam, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Micronesia, and the US Virgin Islands. The sum includes funding for 519 grants and is the fifth announcement under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This announcement is also the largest to date. The announcement also states that an additional $269 million was also announced in FY 2023 Supplemental Discretionary Grants for other projects.
Photo: Jim Lambert l Shutterstock
The FAA says, “The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) provides grants to public agencies — and, in some cases, to private owners and entities — for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).”
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated, “The grants we’re announcing today will improve airfield operations for dozens of airports and help ensure the US retains its global leadership in aviation.” Airports are expensive infrastructure. For example, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has recently broken ground on $9 billion in improvements that will completely renovate the existing Terminal C.
The grants fund a range of projects, including airport safety, sustainability improvements, and noise reduction. For the first time, they also include some funding to reduce, mitigate, and remove contaminants caused by Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (called “forever chemicals”). These chemicals can contaminate air, water, and soil.
Notable grant examples for select airports
It is impossible to list out of all of the hundreds of grants here, but four notable grants were allocated to reconstruct the taxiway and runway pavement. These included $55 million for Tucson International Airport (Arizona), $34.7 million for Grand Junction Regional Airport (Colorado), $24.4 million for Columbus Airport (Georgia), and $18.7 million for South Bend International Airport (Indiana).
Some other notable mentions include $15.8 million for Los Angeles International Airport to purchase and install sound insulation treatments for 400 homes “affected by airport noise exposure.” Also, in California, the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport receives $18 million for perimeter dike improvement.
Photo: agsaz | Shutterstock
St. Louis/Lambert International Airport (Missouri) will receive $29.1 million to reconstruct the existing taxiway and purchase zero-emissions equipment. The airport will also receive another $20 million for drainage improvements and new storage buildings for snow removal and other equipment.
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Publish date : 2024-09-07 04:27:00
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Author : theamericannews
Publish date : 2024-09-07 16:24:47
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