Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced it will award nearly $1 billion in grants for terminal improvements to 85 airports across the country.
Part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grants are designed to expand terminal capacity, increase energy efficiency, promote competition and provide greater accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Two of the grants will be awarded to build new air traffic control towers.
“Americans deserve modern airports that meet the needs of their families and growing passenger demand. Funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, today’s grants will improve airport terminals while also creating good jobs in communities across the country,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
Of the grants, 70 will expand terminal capacity, including a $20 million grant for the Pittsburgh International Airport that will fund building a new 700,000-square-foot terminal with an improved passenger security screening checkpoint and checked baggage inspection system, baggage handling equipment, U.S. Customs and Border Protection area, and other public spaces; and $5 million of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport to fund phase one of a terminal expansion project to expand its second level by nearly 27,000 square feet allowing for two new gates, one expanded gate, a new set of restrooms and additional passenger queuing.
The FAA said 76 of the grants contain an element of increased terminal sustainability, including $35 million for the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to construct a zero-carbon electrical central utility plant to assist the airport in achieving its net-zero carbon emissions goals. And $960,000 for the Boise Airport to construct a zero-carbon electric central utility plant to further net-zero carbon emission goals.
Officials said 73 grants would have an element in them that would increase access for those with disabilities. Another grant, $1.67 million for the Gainesville Regional Airport in Gainesville, Fla., would support access by multimodal transportation. And two – $15 million each for the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport in Peoria, Ill., and Asheville Regional Airport in Asheville, N.C. – would support the building of new air traffic control towers.
“The work that goes in to build safer, more accessible and sustainable terminals will provide opportunities for people across the nation. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a critical investment not only in our nation’s infrastructure, but an investment in the future of our country’s workforce,” said FAA Deputy Administrator A. Bradley Mims.