Collectively, the grant programme has around $3.2bn worth of funding to distribute to more than 1,500 facilities
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has revealed three grants for infrastructure projects from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Programme.
The grants are expected to provide around $76m (£54m) to Chicago/O’Hare International, Dallas/Fort Worth International and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International.
All three facilities are being granted the funds under the terms of ‘letters of intent’ which were issued by the FAA – committing to scheduled grant funding spread over multiple years.
“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 traveling public as we start to build our country back better,” said Pete Buttigieg, US Secretary of Transportation.
O’Hare is in line to receive $25m (£17m) as repayment for the construction of its new runway, including utilities, grading and pavement work. Fort Worth is set to be granted a total of $31m (£22m) to develop the northeast end around the taxiway system, which is expected to be completed by 2025.
Fort Lauderdale will also get $20m (£14m) for the constriction costs of its runway extension. This is expected to allow for higher service volume and reduce delays for existing traffic. This project was finalised in September 2015.
Grants from the fund can help airports with infrastructure costs towards runways, taxiways, airport signage, lighting and markings. Each year, the programme awards around $3.2bn (£2bn) in funds. These are the initial three grants out of more than 1,500 that will be offered to airports this year.
