U.S. DOT Announces Nearly $615 Million to Improve Airports Across 42 States and Two Territories

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced last week a $615 million investment to improve runway and taxiway infrastructure, invest in family-friendly features in terminals, and support critical airfield safety upgrades in 42 states and two territories.

In total, 238 grants were funded through the Airport Improvement Program, including:

  • $21.5 million to Midland International Air & Space Port in Texas for runway rehabilitation.
  • $19.5 million to construct a new airport in Noatak, Alaska.
  • $15.3 million to San Diego International Airport for noise mitigation.
  • $8.3 million to Gary/Chicago International Airport in Indiana for a new contract tower.
  • $8 million to Lynchburg Regional Airport in Virginia for a new terminal.
  • $6.3 million to Wilmington International Airport in North Carolina for runway rehabilitation.
  • $2.4 million to Sacramento International Airport in California for new passenger boarding bridges.

“Upgrading our airport infrastructure is part of our work to usher in the Golden Age of Transportation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “American families deserve state-of-the-art runways, taxiways and infrastructure that will make their travel experience safer, smoother, and more efficient.”

“We’re improving safety and efficiency at airports throughout the U.S.,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We’re prioritizing these grants in a time when Americans are traveling more than ever, ensuring we fulfill our promise to transform the passenger travel experience.”

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.