Biden-Harris Administration Funds $427 Million In Upgrades For U.S. Airports

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Biden-Harris admin allocates $427M to modernize U.S. airports, enhancing safety and capacity.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is distributing $427 million across 245 airport infrastructure projects in 39 states. These funds, provided under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, are part of a larger $25 billion allocation aimed at enhancing U.S. airports. The improvements will include terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway safety enhancements, and upgrades to air traffic control infrastructure, all outlined in President Biden’s infrastructure plan.

“Americans are flying in record numbers this summer, and the Biden-Harris Administration is continuing to invest in our nation’s airports to make travel more convenient for passengers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The funding we’re announcing, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help airports across the country make needed improvements to ensure safety and efficiency now and for years to come.” 

“Today’s investment is the second largest in AIG history,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. “We’re supporting safety with lighting and runway signage upgrades and improving the traveler experience with new terminals.” 

Today, several airports across the United States have been awarded funding for infrastructure enhancements:

• John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Ohio receives $29.4 million to build a new terminal tarmac and taxiway, and to extend an existing taxiway, enhancing operational safety.
• El Paso International Airport in Texas is allocated $10.6 million to construct a new general aviation apron and refurbish the current one, boosting efficiency.
• Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport in California benefits from $18.1 million to develop a new taxiway and a terminal, increasing passenger capacity.
• Southwest Florida International Airport in Florida gets $24.9 million for a new taxiway and concourse apron expansion, alongside a terminal access road extension featuring an off ramp and three new traffic lanes, specifically for airport traffic.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota is granted $8.5 million for terminal access road expansion and the upgrading of a tarmac and taxiway to improve safety.
• Hector International Airport in North Dakota receives $11.2 million to add four gates to its terminal, expanding passenger and baggage handling capacities.
• Dallas Love Field Airport in Texas is funded $4.2 million for enhancing the airfield drainage system and safety areas of Runway 13/31 to prevent runway excursions and boost safety.
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Kentucky is awarded $13.6 million to replace passenger boarding bridges, facilitating smoother movement of passengers.
• Glacier Park International in Montana receives $6 million to enlarge the existing terminal, adding gates, ticketing areas, security checkpoints, and passenger holdrooms to serve more travelers.
• Norfolk International Airport in Virginia secures $13 million for the final phase of Runway 5/23’s rehabilitation and a segment of the terminal building expansion to increase capacity.

Today’s allocations stem from the Airport Infrastructure Grant program, a segment of the three aviation grant initiatives inaugurated under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. So far, airports nationwide have accessed nearly $9 billion out of the allocated $15 billion from the AIG funds. Additional details about the comprehensive $25 billion earmarked for airport enhancements in the infrastructure law can be found at faa.gov/bil.

Several airports have successfully executed projects financed through the AIG program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including:

• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, which utilized $4.4 million to reconstruct the pavement on Runway 12/30, bolstering safety.
• Mobile International Airport in Alabama, where $3.8 million was invested to enhance 870 feet of drainage systems near the future terminal area, aligning with FAA standards.
• Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, which extended Runway 35L by 1,100 feet with a $3.1 million grant, accommodating more aircraft and reducing traffic delays.

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a transformative investment in U.S. infrastructure, enhancing the nation’s competitiveness by refurbishing roads and bridges, upgrading public transit and rail systems, and revitalizing ports and airports. To date, the Administration has rolled out over $461 billion in funding under this law for more than 60,000 infrastructure projects nationwide, additionally sparking over $898 billion in private sector investments in manufacturing and clean energy within the U.S.