Biden Awards $76 Million in Federal Grants, Another Victory for Midsize US Airports

The present government has granted another grant totaling more than $76 million in an effort to modernize the infrastructure of many US airports. The monies are anticipated to bring about a number of improvements, including an increase in safety and efficiency at airports of all sizes across the nation, as a result of the need to expand and enhance multiple airports in the face of a spike in passenger traffic.

Numerous US airports will have major infrastructural upgrades, including enhanced amenities and upgraded runways. From the $9 billion initially allotted, the US Department of Transportation is giving an additional $76.1 million to be utilized for 45 airport-related infrastructure projects spread across 22 states.

These will be paid for by the $25 billion in airport renovations contained in President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program. Pete Buttigieg, the US Secretary of Transportation, said,

“Millions of Americans fly every day, and it’s important that our nation’s airports be equipped to handle such a volume of passengers. The grants we’re announcing today will make key improvements to ensure passengers move safely and efficiently through our airports—and is another example of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to modernizing our nation’s aviation systems.”

Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, will get the greatest portion of the financing among the airports on the current list, totaling $27.8 million. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the funds will be utilized to construct runway edge drains in order to prevent degradation of the taxiway and Runway 8R/26L pavements. The project also includes rebuilding more than 100,000 square yards of the holding pad apron pavement that currently exists.

Bangor International in Maine will get $8.3 million for the rehabilitation of 7,436 feet of Runway 15/33 in order to minimize trash and preserve the structural integrity of the surface.

The Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based Joe Foss Field Airport will receive $8.1 million to support the design phase, add 42,000 square feet to the current terminal building, and renovate 24,600 square feet of the current terminal building.

The following airports are receiving funding: Dickinson-Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport in North Dakota ($1.9 million), Grand Forks International Airport in North Dakota ($2.9 million), Friday Harbor Airport in Washington ($1.8 million), South Bend International Airport in Indiana ($1.8 million), Easton Airport in Maryland ($2.4 million), and Colorado Springs Airport ($6.4 million).

The infrastructure of an airport consists of several things, such as runways and terminals. Many airports in the US and throughout the world feel the need to modernize their terminal buildings and other amenities as more people choose to travel by air.

These also include baggage handling systems and jet bridges, which are essential to the seamless running of airports but may not immediately spring to mind when thinking about airport infrastructure. Runways, taxiways, air traffic control towers, orientation, numberings, signs, and markings are just a few of the items that require maintenance and expansion from time to time, particularly if an airport is expected to develop significantly.