The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced three grants under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FY2021 Airport Improvement Program for infrastructure projects.
The grants will offer around $76m to Dallas-Fort Worth International, Chicago O’Hare International and Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airports.
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said: “Modernising our nation’s infrastructure is a top priority for President Biden’s economic agenda, and the Airport Improvement Programme allows airports nationwide to upgrade and improve the safety of their facilities.
“These improvements, at some of our nation’s busiest airports, will serve our communities and the travelling public as we start to build our country back better.”
The mentioned airports are getting financial aid under the terms of Letters of Intent formerly issued by the FAA, in obligation to a plan of grant funding dispersed over several fiscal years.
Chicago O’Hare International will receive $25m to compensate the airport for the construction phase of Runway 9C/27C, including site utilities, levelling and pavement work.
On 5 November 2020, Runway 9C/27C was commissioned.
Dallas-Fort Worth International will receive $31m to build 10,200ft of the north-east end around the taxiway system.
The taxiways, which are scheduled for completion in September 2025, will remove the need for airplanes to cross active runways.
Furthermore, Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport will receive $20m to compensate the airport for the extension of Runway 10R/28L to 8,000ft.
The runway extension has reduced delays of the existing traffic while providing a higher service volume of aircraft.
On 18 September 2014, the Runway 10R/28L extension was finished and commissioned, with all associated enhancements completed in September 2015.
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said: “Each airport project provides a benefit to the National Airspace System through safety and capacity enhancement. As a former airline pilot, I can attest first-hand that the travelling public are best served when the system handles demand without unnecessary delays.”
The Airport Improvement Program confers funds for airport infrastructure projects such as taxiways, runways, airport signage, airport markings and airport lighting.
The grant programme is sponsored for nearly $3.2bn every year.
These are the first three grants out of the more than 1,500 grants that the FAA will issue to several US airports this year.
