FAA to invest $31 million on key airport cargo projects

The FAA has awarded more than $31 million in grants to expand cargo infrastructure at nine airports across the United States.

According to the FAA, each project will help expedite the movement of goods throughout the country.

“Every day, we rely on goods transported through our nation’s airports,” said US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg.

“This announcement will make improvements at airports across our country so they can handle cargo more efficiently and help strengthen America’s supply chains.”

Deputy FAA Administrator, A Bradley Mims, said: “These grants will provide lasting benefits today and well into the future for our economy.”

Airports receiving funds for their cargo projects include:

Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford, Illinois, which will receive around $6.8 million to construct a 4,267-foot taxiway and connectors to increase access to the south cargo apron.

Huntsville International Airport-Carl T Jones Field in Huntsville, Alabama, which is to get $5.6 million to help rehabilitate 5,600 square yards of the existing air cargo apron and expand the airport’s existing access road an additional 1,450 feet to enhance access. 

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer, South Carolina, which will receive a cash injection of $4.5 million to rehabilitate existing taxiway and cargo apron pavement.

Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan, which is to receive $2.3 million to rehabilitate 37,400 square yards of existing cargo apron pavement and perform crack repair and joint sealing to 26,800 square yards of deicing apron surface.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska – one of the world’s busiest cargo gateways – which is to get $8.1 million to reconstruct the taxi-lane and airport apron.

And Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle, Washington, which has been allocated $1.9 million to help reconstruct 4,200 square yards existing cargo apron pavement.

The money for these projects comes from the Airport Improvement Program for FY2022.

The programme pays for a variety of projects including: construction of new and improved airport facilities, repairs to runways and taxiways, maintenance of airfield elements like lighting or signage, and the purchase of equipment needed to operate and maintain airports.