Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
WA Airports Receive $38.68 Million in FAA Grants
Cantwell applauds award: “These grants will help ensure that our airports grow in tandem with the regions they serve”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) celebrated the award of 29 grants from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) totaling $38.68 million that will help fund renovations for airports all over Washington state.
The FAA awarded more than $608 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants to airports across the country on Thursday. The State of Washington received the second-highest allocation to any one state. AIP grants fund airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings.
“As we continue our pandemic recovery, more Washingtonians are taking to the skies and showing just how crucial it is to make investments now in our airport infrastructure to prepare for future growth,” Senator Cantwell said. “This $38.68 million in airport infrastructure funding will play a vital role in maintaining Washington state’s airport conditions and increasing passenger capacity. These grants will help ensure that our airports grow in tandem with the regions they serve.”
As Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Cantwell has long supported airports throughout the State of Washington. Last year, Senator Cantwell announced two rounds of AIP funds totaling $45 million for airports within the state. In June, Senator Cantwell additionally announced over $217 million in grants from the Airport Rescue Grants program awarded to Washington airports to help keep people safe and employed by reimbursing operational expenses, debt service payments, and costs related to combating the spread of COVID-19.
The FAA awarded grants across the state last week, including $22.65 million to airports located in eastern Washington, $10.4 million to airports in central Washington, $4.23 million to airports in the Puget Sound region and $1.39 million to airports in southwest Washington. The following airports received AIP funding allocations greater than $1 million:
Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport: $21 million
- $10 million to construct a new 45,000 square foot terminal building to reduce passenger delay. The award will cover the fifth phase of the project, which encompasses site preparation: laying the foundation, extending utilities and constructing structural steel and framing.
- $11 million to provide funding for the first phase of a new 48,000 square yard terminal apron. The first phase includes design and construction of 26,880 square yards.
Tri-Cities Airport: $7.48 million
- $7,416,000 to construct a 3,500 foot taxiway providing access to aircraft hangars. This grant funds the final phase, which consists of construction.
- $70,000 to conduct a new pavement management study.
Bellingham International Airport: $2.69 million
- $ 2,669,567 to construct a 6,000 square-foot snow removal equipment building to extend the life of the equipment by protecting it from adverse weather conditions. This grant funds the final phase, which consists of construction.
- $25,000 to shift and reconfigure Taxiway F from its current airfield location to a new midfield connector location to meet FAA design standards. This grant funds the second phase, which consists of a reimbursable agreement for design and construction oversight to minimize impacts on existing air traffic infrastructure.
An interactive map listing each of the AIP awards nationwide can be viewed HERE.