US to award airport infrastructure grants to 64 airports in 30 states
<p style="text-align: justify;">August 08, 2017: US Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the <a title="Federal Aviation Administration" href="https://www.faa.gov/" target="_blank">Federal Aviation Administration</a> (FAA) will award $167.6 million in airport infrastructure grants to 64 airports in 30 states across the United States as part of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">“The Airport […]
August 08, 2017: US Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $167.6 million in airport infrastructure grants to 64 airports in 30 states across the United States as part of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
“The Airport Improvement Program helps to maintain our aviation infrastructure and supports safety, capacity, security and environmental improvements,” said Secretary Chao. “This is an important investment in these airports and the economic vitality of their respective communities.”
The airport grant program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, and airport signage, lighting, and markings, all of which help to create thousands of jobs.
To date this year, the US Department of Transportation has announced more than 1,300 new grants to nearly 1,200 airports for a total of $2 billion. These grants will provide funds for 546 runway projects and 459 taxiway projects that are important to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s system of airports.
Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, then the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
Those airports receiving discretionary grants are listed here:
St. Mary’s County Regional Airport in Leonardtown, MD, $1.9 million – funds will be used to extend Runway 11/29 by 1,200 feet to meet the operational needs of the airport.
Suffolk Executive Airport in Suffolk, VA, $3.7 million – to repair Runway 04/22 and runway lighting.
Chicago/Rockford International Airport in Rockford, IL, $10.2 million – the grant will fund the expansion of the air cargo apron where aircraft park and expand the terminal building.
Dane County Regional-Truax Field in Madison, WI, $7.7 million – funds will be used to construct a perimeter taxiway system.
Bolton Field in Columbus, OH, $3.4 million – the project will repair Runway 04/22.
Warren County/John Lane Field in Lebanon, OH, $2.0 million – to repair Runway 01/19 and the runway lighting.
