Amidst surging air travel demand, the Biden-Harris administration announced nearly $1 billion in bipartisan infrastructure law that will fund airports across the United States. The funding's goal is to help airports create larger security checkpoints, more reliable and faster baggage systems, better roadways, and multi-modal connections.
The funds are planned to go to large, medium, and small regions in the United States, going to airports in 47 states and two territories. The nearly $1 billion in funds are allocated to many different causes across the country. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said,
"Americans deserve the best airports in the world, and with demand for air travel surging back, this funding to improve the passenger experience couldn’t come at a more urgent time. These grants will make it faster and easier to check your bags, get through security and find your gate, all while creating jobs and supporting local economies."
These grants are in addition to the $1 billion that was granted for terminal improvements at 85 airports across the United States. This recent award is going to be reaching 99 different airports in the country.
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Funds going towards passenger improvements
Several of the grants announced in the bipartisan infrastructure are going towards improving the passenger experience at major airports. This includes making passenger check-in more efficient by improving security screening areas and upgrading baggage systems for a faster and more reliable experience.
Among these allocated funds are a $10 million grant to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport to add new security screening lines and five additional gates. Another allocated grant is sending $50 million to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, IL, for updating the 60-year-old Terminal 3. Additional funding to improve security-screening areas is being sent to Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, among others.
Other funds were specifically allocated to improve the passenger experience. This includes $38 million sent to Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, MD. This was set to improve both Concourse A and B of the airport by updating the baggage systems, create a direct airside connection between the concourses, and upgrade concession spaces. Some of the other airports listed to receive funding include Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport, Bradley International Airport, and Key West International Airport.
Allocated funds financing terminal improvements
Several of the given grants are working to build new or expand existing terminal facilities. This includes $10.8 million to Des Moines International Airport to replace a terminal that was originally built in 1948. Another grant gives $29 million to Salt Lake City International Airport to upgrade aging facilities and install 16 new gates.
Deputy FAA Administrator A. Bradley Mims spoke about the funds being used to improve airport terminals, saying,
Today’s funding doesn’t just improve airport terminals. It creates opportunities in communities large and small for good-paying jobs and a chance to be part of our country’s thriving aviation sector."
Improving roadways and airport access
There were several grants given to improve roadways and connecting airport infrastructure. Many of the funds awarded were to increase access to other modes of transportation or improve roadways in and around the airport.
This includes $7 million to Nashville International Airport, $8 million to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and $1.6 million to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Some of the upgrades include resurfacing roadways, new road construction, and enhancing safety by improving signage.
Many of the grants include verbiage regarding improving airport access for smaller communities. Some of the affected airports include Clinton Regional Airport in Clinton, MO and Ashley Municipal Airport in Ashley, ND. An additional $6 million is going to Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. This is award is to improve a terminal building that is a modified aircraft hangar from 1942.
The funding from this award is from the Airport Terminal Program. This program has now provided nearly $25 billion to modernize the country's airport infrastructure.