Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials said the agency has earmarked more than $766 million in grants as a means of increasing airport safety and sustainability nationwide.
“These grants will improve safety, sustainability and accessibility at airports across our country,” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said.
The funding allotment, via FY 2021 Airport Improvement Program grants, would address 279 projects at airports in 44 states, in addition to Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The projects, per the FAA, include safety and capacity expansion initiatives at the Adirondack Regional Airport in Saranac Lake, New York, with $2.8 million devoted to rehabilitating 6,573 feet of the existing Runway 5/23 pavement. Also, $3.9 million will be put toward runway extension, earthwork and drainage improvements at Alexandria International Airport in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Other sustainability projects, per the FAA, include a $4.8 million allocation to
Great Falls International Airport in Great Falls, Mont., to build a deicing pad and facilities to keep deicing materials separate from storm water. Also, the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Ky. will receive $10.6 million to install a geothermal system in the terminal building to improve the airport’s energy efficiency.
With regard to initiatives focusing on increasing access for rural and remote communities, Atqasuk Edward Burnell Sr. Memorial Airport in Atqasuk, Alaska has been awarded $20.7 million to repair the gravel pavement on runway 6/24, the aircraft parking area, and the taxiway to the parking area.