The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Elaine L. Chao has announced that the Trump Administration will award $335 million in airport safety and infrastructure grants through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to 80 airports in 25 states.
“Airport infrastructure projects funded by this $335 million in federal funding will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The details of some of the work to be done include the rehabilitation of San Francisco International taxiway, the expansion and reconstruction of Delaware Airpark apron, reconstruction of service road at Dallas-Fort Worth International, reconstruction of runway at Washington Dulles International among many others (check full list here)
The total includes $300 million from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and $35 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants to equal a 100 percent federal share.
“These 61 AIP grants will allow airports around the country to begin and complete projects that are vital to the safe and efficient operation of our nation’s airports,” said FAA Administrator Stephen M. Dickson.
The grants will be used for a variety of critical infrastructure and safety projects. The projects include purchasing aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment, constructing runways and taxiways, repairing runways and taxiways, installing aircraft lighting and signage, conducting airport master plan studies, and installing airport perimeter fencing.
Since January 2017, the Trump Administration has delivered $14.5 billion to America’s airports to improve infrastructure and safety. Additionally, this year the Administration has delivered $10 billion in economic assistance to America’s airports under the CARES Act to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.