Biden-Harris Administration Allocates $76 Million to Enhance Airport Infrastructure

The Biden-Harris administration, through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is granting an additional $76.1 million to support 45 airport infrastructure projects in 22 states. This funding is part of the $9 billion allocation for airport-related projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, itself a segment of the $25 billion set aside for airport modernization efforts.

The newly announced grants will fund a range of critical airport improvements. According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the grants aim to ensure that American airports can handle the volume of passengers safely and efficiently. Buttigieg emphasizes that this initiative is a testament to the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to upgrading the nation's aviation infrastructure.

Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E., FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, highlights the importance of these grants for enhancing safety and efficiency across airports of all sizes nationwide. Several airports are set to receive substantial support, including the Colorado Springs Airport in Colorado, which will use its $6.4 million grant to rehabilitate its terminal building to facilitate customs clearance. Melbourne Orlando International Airport in Florida is allocated $3 million to install a new baggage system, and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, will receive $27.8 million to install runway edge drains and reconstruct a significant portion of its holding pad apron pavement.

Other grant recipients include Easton Airport in Maryland, Joe Foss Field Airport in South Dakota, and Bangor International in Maine, each with specific projects focusing on runway rehabilitation, taxiway reconstruction, and terminal building expansion. These projects collectively aim to enhance safety, improve efficiency, and facilitate smoother operations at airports across the country.

The $76.1 million in grants represent just a portion of the ongoing commitment by the Biden-Harris administration to rejuvenate American infrastructure. With nearly $9 billion of the $15 billion AIG funding already available, the administration is poised to continue supporting airports and, by extension, the millions of travelers who rely on them each year.