The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will award $477 million in airport infrastructure grants to 264 airports throughout the country, as well as in the Pacific Islands and the District of Columbia, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
Runway reconstruction, rehabilitation efforts, firefighting facility construction and maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals all stand to benefit from the funding. Among the largest award recipients, the Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport in Washington State will receive almost $27.5 million for a new runway, an emergency generator, and snow removal equipment; Portsmouth International at Pease in New Hampshire will gain nearly $13.5 million for a runway reconstruction; and the Chicago/Rockford International Airport will receive nearly $11.3 million for runway and taxiway rehabilitation.
“Infrastructure projects funded by these grants will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities,” Chao said.
According to USDOT, all funds will help recipients increase safety, emergency response, and capacity, which in turn could lead to greater economic development locally. The funds allotted represent the third share of the $3.18 billion set aside by the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program.