The White House announced yesterday that the FAA is awarding $110 million more for airport improvement as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funds will go toward upgrading taxiways, improving firefighting capability and expanding snow-removal capacity at more than 70 airports nationwide.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “This is another good step in a multi-billion-dollar modernization we’re delivering through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make America’s aviation systems safer and more efficient.”
The funding includes taxiway improvement projects at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina ($43 million), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland ($617,763), and Omak Airport in Washington State ($326,000). Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting projects are on tap for Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Michigan ($8.6 million) and Jamestown Regional Airport in N. Dakota ($1.3 million). Snow-removal enhancements are planned for two airports in Minnesota as well as other airports in Idaho, Washington State, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Montana.
In all, the new funding covers 74 separate grants in 32 states. FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin said, “These grants help airports across the nation sustain and improve critical infrastructure to advance the safest, most efficient airport system in the world.”
So, how much for small general aviation airports?
The law provides almost 3 billion a year for airport improvements. A lot of it is going to small airports throughout the country.
And still no E-0, MoGas, 94UL?
What’s the point of a resurfaces taxiway when we have to pay $7/gallon for 100LL we don’t require? They are working on the wrong part of infrastructure if they want to help small GA.
Google the above-mentioned Omak Airport, Arthur.
Did Mark get his “M”s, “B”s and “T”s mixed up here? I can’t imagine any politician fooling around with anything mentioning a Million. $110 million divided by 70 airports won’t pay for pavement striping. Or did I wake up this morning in 1950?
I think it’s totally in line with presenting an appearance of “doing something” and the $$$ figures are accurate. Safety initiatives can = new pavement striping, after all. Just not much more.
Bread and Circuses. If you can’t do your proper job, spread some money around.
So right!!! Not just now, but even in the era of Cesar!