U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently toured several airports across the nation to underscore a $1 billion investment aimed at rehabilitating terminals at various American airports. Carlos Monje, Under Secretary of Transportation, and Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg also visited different airports to discuss these renovation projects. Buttigieg announced on an unspecified date that there was a need to modernize the aging infrastructure.
"America's airports are showing their age and it's affecting how functional they are. The good news: We're modernizing another 114 airport terminals across the country with investments through the Biden infrastructure plan," said Buttigieg, according to X.
According to a DOT news release, many of the projects will focus on enhancing the airport experience for passengers through updated gates and concourses, state-of-the-art security screening areas, and more efficient baggage systems. The Airport Terminal Grant program has already allocated approximately $3 billion in funds for updating airports, resulting in numerous well-paying construction jobs.
Pete Buttigieg tweet.
| X
Trottenberg paid a visit to Miami International Airport to discuss a $27 million initiative aimed at upgrading Concourses E and F, as well as the Central Terminal, as per the news release. She was joined by airport leaders, Shannetta R. Griffin, FAA’s Associate Administrator for Airports, and Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County. During her visit, Trottenberg discussed 10 airport projects that are set to receive $112.5 million.
"These improvements will help people with disabilities have an easier time getting to and from their destinations. Passengers will save time and headaches with much more efficient security checkpoints," Trottenberg said.
The news release also stated that Monje visited Savannah Hilton Head International Airport to talk about their $5 million four-gate terminal expansion. He also mentioned three other Georgia-based airports that are set to receive $7.75 million in funding. Monje's press conference was attended by airport leaders and Mayor Van R. Johnson.
"The great thing about these airport projects is they build pretty quickly. TSA checkpoint is well underway; it will be up and running next year and will have a real impact on people's lives," Monje said.
