“Infrastructure projects funded by these grants will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities,” Chao said.
Projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, noise mitigation, emissions reduction and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increase the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities and capacity, and could support further economic growth and development within each airport’s region.
Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Under Chao’s leadership, the department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure.
Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.U
Some of the grant awards in the Construction Digest area include:
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Illinois received three grants for $20 million, $45 million and $13.5 million. The grants will fund the construction of runways and a taxiway.
- Quad City International Airport in Illinois received a grant for $5.4 million. The grant will fund the improvements of airport drainage.
- Chicago/Rockford International Airport in Illinois received a grant for $8.6 million. The grant will fund the rehabilitation of a runway and taxiway.
- Huntingburg Airport in Indiana received a grant for $6.9 million. The grant will fund the extension of a runway.
- Indianapolis International Airport in Indiana received seven grants for a total of $17.3 million. The grants will fund the rehabilitation of taxiway lighting, security enhancements, a miscellaneous study, the rehabilitation and construction of taxiways, the rehabilitation of an apron and the construction of a snow removal equipment building.
- Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport in Kentucky received a grant for $7.6 million. The grant will fund the rehabilitation of a taxiway.
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Kentucky received a grant for $5.5 million. The grant will fund the rehabilitation of two taxiways.
- Blue Grass Airport in Kentucky received a grant for $11.1 million. The grant will fund the construction of a taxiway.
- Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky received two grants for $2.9 million and $12.1 million. The grants will fund the acquirement of land for noise compatibility, noise mitigation measures for public buildings and residences, the reconstruction and rehabilitation of taxiways and the rehabilitation of a runway and runway lighting.
- Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri received two grants for $3.3 million and $169,000. The grants will fund the construction of an apron and terminal building and the update of a miscellaneous study.
- Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport in Ohio received four grants for a total of $20.4 million. The grants will fund the construction of two taxiways and a runway and the acquirement of snow removal equipment.
- Wayne County Airport in Ohio received a grant for $5 million. The grant will fund the construction of a taxiway and the reconstruction of another taxiway.
- James M. Cox Dayton International Airport in Ohio received two grants for $4.7 million and $1.3 million. The grants will fund the acquirement of an aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle, the rehabilitation of an apron and an update of the airport master plan study.
