In the latest round of funding from the Jobs and Infrastructure Investments Act, the Federal Aviation Administration has awarded $110 million in grants to 71 airports in 32 states to help finance new and improved runways , roadways and other improvements.
Funding for the awards, announced March 20, comes from the IIJA’s Airport Infrastructure Grant Program, one of three aviation programs established by the landmark 2021 legislation. In total, the IIJA provides $15 billion of dollars over five years for airport infrastructure.
By far the largest of the 74 grants in the new round of awards is $43 million for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. The airport plans to use the new grant to help fund a new 6,400-foot taxiway, which the FAA said would increase safety and reduce delays.
According to background information on the airport project, construction began in April 2021 on the taxiway project and is expected to be completed in December.
The cost of the project is $253.1 million; Funding sources are passenger facility cargo bonds and a federal grant. The project is part of a $4 billion multi-year capital improvement program at the airport
Other large grants in the new round include $8.6 million to Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich., to rebuild its aircraft rescue and firefighting facility; and $7.3 million at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to improve a service road, rehabilitate an apron and taxiway and make other improvements.
Most of the grants are for infrastructure projects, although some of the awards are for the purchase of snow removal equipment or other types of equipment, as well as other non-construction purposes.
In total, the IIJA provides $15 billion over five years for the Airport Infrastructure Grant Program. Of that total, the FAA has so far made $9 billion available.
