U.S. Rep. Sam Graves’ (R-Mo.) bill to ensure early completion of critical airport and airport runway projects pass in the House on Thursday.
The Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act of 2020 (H.R. 5912) would incentivize early completion of projects funded with Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds by allowing airports to use the funds to make incentive payments. The AIP program provides grants to public agencies and others to plan, develop, and execute infrastructure projects like runways and taxiways at public airports.
Graves, the ranking member on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was joined by Garret Graves (R-LA), the ranking member on the House Subcommittee on Aviation, in bringing the bill to the floor for a vote.
“Time is money in infrastructure project construction, and that includes at the Nation’s airports,” Sam Graves said. “This is a smart reform that already works for road and bridge project construction, and delivering airport projects ahead of schedule can help save money and essentially provide a similar impact as increasing investment without any additional federal resources.”
Currently, AIP funds cannot be used for incentive purposes. Graves’ bill would allow airports to use up to $1 million in AIP to incentivize any contractor to complete the project early.
The bill is supported by infrastructure stakeholders, including the Airports Council International – North American, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
“AGC of America fully supports H.R. 5912, the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act of 2020. Just like the benefit they have provided to the Federal-aid Highway Program for over 20 years, the usage of early completion incentives provided for in this bill would allow for more timely and efficient completion of crucial airport construction projects that benefit the traveling public,” said James V. Christianson, Vice President, Government Relations, with AGC.
The bill now goes to the Senate for a vote.