Anchorage airports among several in Alaska splitting millions in federal grants
Six airports across the state are receiving money from grants awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration.
In all, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced Wednesday the FAA will award $840 million in airport infrastructure grants, the first allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program funding for airports across the United States.
“This significant investment in airport improvements will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” said Chao.
The Alaska grants include awards of:
- $29.6 million to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport for runway reconstruction.
- $17.1 million to Wiley Post- Will Rogers Memorial Airport in Utqiagvik to build structures that house firefighting vehicles, snow removal equipment and sand and chemicals.
- Over $1.2 million to Fairbanks International for snow removal equipment.
- $855,000 to Merrill Field in Anchorage to install taxiway lighting
- $940,000 to Merle K (Mudhole) Smith in Cordova to update airport master plan study.
- $240,000 to Bob Baker Memorial in Kiana to acquire land for approaches.
In all, Alaskan airports are getting around $49,959,961 in grants.
A total of 432 grants in 47 states will fund infrastructure projects at 381 airports around the country. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increase the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities, and capacity, the FAA said.
