The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced last week a nearly $10 million state investment in projects at 10 public use airports for facility improvements, infrastructure preservation, and development. Supporting safe, reliable infrastructure while growing the Commonwealth’s economy is a key priority for the Shapiro administration.
Pennsylvania’s robust aviation industry employs over 226,000 people, provides nearly $12.5 billion in payroll and employment benefits, and has a $34 billion annual economic impact. In addition to providing travel options, airports also facilitate services such as air cargo and freight, police and law enforcement, emergency medical services, firefighting, and disaster and emergency response.
“Pennsylvania’s aviation industry provides good-paying jobs while linking communities to a larger transportation system that moves goods and people around the world,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments are another example of Governor Shapiro’s focus on maintaining our infrastructure while also expanding regional business opportunities.”
The funds will support the following projects:
- Allegheny County:
- Allegheny County Airport – $750,000 of state funds to repair and upgrade existing hangars.
- Bedford County:
- Bedford County Airport – $100,000 of state funds to repair an existing hangar floor.
- Berks County: Reading Regional/Carl A. Spaatz Field Airport – $1.5 million of state funds to construct a hangar and office building for the fixed based operator at the airport.
- Bucks County: Quakertown County Airport – $225,000 of state funds to repave and reseal the aprons and taxilanes. Doylestown Airport – $225,000 of state funds to repave and reseal aprons around T-hangars.Â
- Cambria County:
- John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport – $1.1 million of state funds for the site preparation for a new hangar at the airport.
- Lancaster County:
- Lancaster Airport – $2 million of state funds to design and prepare the site for the construction of a new corporate hangar.
- Northampton County:
- Braden Airpark – $975,000 of state funds to replace approach runway lighting and edge lighting.
- Schuylkill County:
- Schuylkill County/Joe Zerby Airport – $700,000 of state funds to repair and upgrade the terminal building along with adding an office for a flight school.
- Westmoreland County:
- Arnold Palmer Regional Airport – $2.4 million in state funds to expand the terminal and upgrade the Transportation Security Administration screening area.
The projects will be funded by the state Capital Budget through the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, which is supported by bonds.
