WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $478 million in airport infrastructure grants, the fourth allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States.
“This significant investment in airport improvements in Alabama will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The Alabama grants include:
* Chilton County Airport in Clanton, $1.9 million to extend a runway.
* Enterprise Municipal in Enterprise, $1.4 million to construct a taxiway and airport apron.
* Florala Municipal in Florala, $59,290 to update the airport master plan and rehabilitate a runway.
* Jack Edwards National Airport in Gulf Shores, $403,470 to rehabilitate taxiway lighting.
* Huntsville International Airport, $10.4 million to rehabilitate a runway, taxiway and airport apron, reconstruct taxiway lighting and airfield guidance signs and construct a taxiway.
* Lanett Municipal in Lanett, $89,798 to update the airport master plan.
The FAA will award grants to 232 airports in 43 states, including American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by these grants will enhance safety and capacity while promoting economic growth in the regions served by each airport.
Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure.
Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
