06.03.22

Western WA Airports Get $4.9 Million From FAA to Improve Airport Infrastructure

Bellingham International, Sea-Tac, Jefferson County International each receive grants

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded three grants to fund critical infrastructure projects at Western Washington airports.

Bellingham International Airport was awarded $2,912,192 in funding from the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program to help fund the construction phase of a project reconfiguring Taxiway F, moving it to a new location to better meet FAA design standards. The AIG program aims to modernize the nation’s infrastructure through capital investment in airports. AIG funds can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects.

Bellingham’s grant was awarded as part of the first round of funding dispensed through 2021’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) package. The BIL marked a historic investment in the nation’s air travel system, allocating a total of $25 billion for aviation infrastructure improvements including approximately $15 billion for airport infrastructure projects through grant programs overseen by the FAA’s Office of Airports.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was awarded $1,926,518 to fund reconstruction of apron pavement at SEA’s cargo facilities. The grant funds replacement of 4,200 square yards of apron pavement at the Cargo 2 facility. The apron is the area used for parking, loading, unloading, and refueling airplanes. The pavement has reached the end of its useful life.

Jefferson County International Airport was awarded $150,000 to fund a new connector Taxiway A3, which will eliminate the need for aircraft to back-taxi on the runway. The grant funds phase one of the project, which consists of design. Some of the grant will also be used to design replacements for the existing airfield guidance sign fixtures, bringing them up to FAA standards.

As Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Cantwell has long supported airports throughout the State of Washington. In May, she celebrated the allocation of $38.68 million in FAA Airport Improvement Program grants for airports in Washington, including $21 million to construct the terminal building and a 48,000 square yard terminal apron at Pullman-Moscow Airport, as well as $2.67 million to construct a 6,000 square-foot snow removal equipment building at Bellingham International Airport.

In June 2021, Senator Cantwell announced more than $217 million in grants from the Airport Rescue Grants program awarded to Washington airports to help keep people safe and employed by reimbursing operational expenses, debt service payments, and costs related to combating the spread of COVID-19.

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