The United States Department of Transportation announced a major investment in American airports. Airports in 48 states will receive a combined total of $485 million to facilitate infrastructure improvements.

United States airport upgrades

Airports across the United States are aging. Compared to luxurious airports like Singapore and Doha, American airports have a ways to go. In order to expand American aviation and support US airport upgrades, the Department of Transportation announced a new series of infrastructure grants totaling $485 million for 108 airports across the United States.

Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao, announced these upgrades in Asheville, North Carolina, which is set to receive one of these grants. Commenting on this, the Secretary had the following to say:

The robust economy is enabling more passengers to travel by air so this Administration is investing billions of dollars in America’s airports which will address safer airport operations, fewer airport delays, and greater ease of travel for air travelers

The Department of Transportation also notes that, since 2017, $10.8 billion have gone to over 2,000 airports across the United States as part of broad infrastructure improvements.

The big winners

Of course, not all US Airports received the same amount of money. Here are a few key airport improvements that the Department of Transportation highlighted:

• San Jose International Airport in California will receive $10 million for an aircraft rescue and firefighting building
• Tampa International Airport will receive $6 million to upgrade the terminal building
• Indianapolis International Airport will receive $4.25 million to rehabilitate a runway
• New Orleans International Airport will receive $7 million to extend a taxiway
• Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan will receive $5 million to rehabilitate the terminal
• Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina will receive $10 million for terminal rehabilitation
• Cleveland International Airport will receive $4.25 million to rehabilitate a runway
• Wilmington International Airport in Delaware will receive $3 million to rehabilitate a runway
• Portland International Airport in Oregon will receive $4 million to rehabilitate a taxiway

Some other lucky winners include:

• Anchorage International Airport in Alaska will receive just over $9.6 million to rehabilitate the terminal
• Baltimore/Washington International in Maryland will receive over $3.3 million to reconstruct a taxiway and rehabilitate taxiway lighting
• James M Cox Dayton International in Ohio will receive $4.3 million to construct a terminal building
• Philadelphia International Airport will receive $10 million to reconstruct a taxiway
• San Antonio International Airport in Texas will receive just over $3.1 million to rehabilitate a taxiway
• Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah will receive $9 million to construct an apron

Overall

Across the United States, airports and airlines alike are working on improving and expanding terminals. Replacing outdated buildings and infrastructure with modern, upgraded amenities will create a better passenger experience and also allow airlines to better compete amid growing international competition at many US airports.

Are you excited about any of the US airport investments? Let us know in the comments!