The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted over $845m for projects at around 388 airports in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Funding from the fourth round of FY 2021 Airport Improvement Program grants will support the projects, which aim to expand the airports’ capacity, boost accessibility and mitigate their ecological impact.
Among the recipients of the grant is Tucson International Airport (TUS), which secured $22.4m for the overhaul of its Runway 11R/29L. This will support the airport’s safety enhancement programme.
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) obtained $11.6m for increasing the area of its apron.
This expansion project will enhance its cargo operations, helping in the creation of permanent job opportunities.
Besides, $18m has been awarded to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to help it move its Taxiway P from its current airfield site from the existing 400ft to 500ft from Runway 9L-27R.
FAA stated that this project will be executed to comply with FAA design standards.
A sum of $12.6m has been granted to Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) for the construction and rehabilitation of a taxiway.
Under this project, Runway 6/24 will be rehabilitated while Taxiway G will be shifted.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) has been awarded $3.3m for implementing noise-mitigation measures for houses near the airport.
In a statement, FAA said: “This project will pay for designing sound-insulation projects for 72 single-family and 204 multi-family residences.”
Furthermore, Togiak Airport in Alaska secured $12.1m to replace equipment and rebuild its taxiways and runways.
For increasing the accessibility for passengers with disabilities, Watertown Regional Airport (ATY) received $9m, Glacier Park International Airport bagged $8.5m and Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (RKS) received $7.9m.
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said: “We don’t want to just build our airports back to the way things were before the pandemic. We want our airports to be better than ever accessible to all, delivering maximum benefit to their communities and helping, directly and indirectly, create jobs for millions of Americans.”
Each year, the Airport Improvement Programme obtains roughly $3.2bn funds.
FAA is planning to award over 1,500 grants this year.
Last week, the FAA announced an $8bn grant to help US airports across the country retain workers and support ongoing construction projects.