Midland International Air & Space Port. Photo: Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com The United States is investing $615 million in airport infrastructure improvements across 42 states and two U.S. territories, with projects ranging from runway rehabilitation and taxiway upgrades to new terminals and passenger facilities.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the funding, which includes 238 grants through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The investment is intended to improve airfield safety, modernize airport infrastructure and enhance the passenger experience for travelers across the country.
The funding will support a wide range of projects, including runway and taxiway improvements, airport lighting, signage, markings and other infrastructure considered critical to safe and efficient airport operations.
Among the largest grants is $21.5 million for Midland International Air & Space Port in Texas, which will be used for runway rehabilitation. In Alaska, $19.5 million will help fund construction of a new airport in Noatak.
Travelers in California will also see investment in airport infrastructure. San Diego International Airport will receive $15.3 million for noise mitigation, while Sacramento International Airport has been awarded $2.4 million for new passenger boarding bridges.
Other projects include $8.3 million for a new contract tower at Gary/Chicago International Airport in Indiana and $8 million for a new terminal at Lynchburg Regional Airport in Virginia.
Wilmington International Airport in North Carolina will receive $6.3 million for a runway extension, which is expected to support the airport's long-term operational needs.
“Upgrading our airport infrastructure is part of our work to usher in the Golden Age of Transportation,” Duffy said. He added that American families deserve modern runways, taxiways and other infrastructure capable of making travel safer and more efficient.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is focused on improving safety and efficiency at airports nationwide as air travel demand remains strong.
The grants form part of the federal government's broader effort to modernize aviation infrastructure. Under the Airport Improvement Program, eligible airports can use funding for projects involving runways, taxiways, airport lighting, signage, pavement markings and other safety-related improvements.
For passengers, the projects could mean improved airport facilities and more reliable infrastructure at airports ranging from major international gateways to smaller regional airports.
With 238 projects receiving funding, the latest investment represents a broad push to upgrade airports throughout the United States rather than concentrating funding in only the country's largest aviation hubs.