On Feb. 15., 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that after fielding more than 600 applications and requests, the FAA will be laying out some $970 million in grant monies to improve passenger experience, accessibility and sustainability at 144 airports nationwide. Projects cover 44 states and three territories.
The funding, courtesy of the Bipartisan Investing in America agenda, has been earmarked to keep up with America’s growing air travels demands.
“Under this administration, we are doing more to improve the travel experience than ever before, from expanding consumer protections to modernizing the physical infrastructure,” said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “These investments we’re announcing today, made possible by President Biden’s historic infrastructure package, will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs, and increase safety for all.”
The size and scope of the projects to come will mean numerous well-paying job opportunities for professionals across all facets of the construction industry, from concrete to electrical.
Florida’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is set to receive the largest payout in funding, $50 million, for a project that will connect terminals and provide retail space and new amenities.
Virginia’s Washington Dulles International Airport is receiving $35 million in funding, portions of which will go toward a 400,000-square-foot, 14-gate terminal building with connections to Aerotrain and Metrorail.
Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport will be receiving $40 million in funding toward improvements in its Terminal 3, which include expanded corridors, thousands of square feet in new concessions and amenity spaces, restroom upgrades and renovations in terminal baggage facilities.
A nationwide breakdown of the allocation of the funds can be viewed here.
The awards follow the close to $2 billion in funds allocated over the past two years for airport terminals projects, the majority of which are already under construction.
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