Biden-Harris and Federal Aviation Administration Join Forces: $20 Million for Safer Airport Control Towers

Thursday, March 21, 2024

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is dedicating $20 million towards enhancing 20 control towers at airports owned by airports, benefiting 17 states across the USA. This initiative aims to refurbish or erect new towers, aligning with President Biden’s agenda to revitalize infrastructure throughout the nation.

Allocated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this grant targets smaller and regional airports, aiming to elevate safety and bolster essential aviation activities including commercial and cargo flights, emergency responses, agricultural flights, and pilot training.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted this move as indicative of the Biden-Harris Administration’s pledge to advance and secure the American aviation network for future generations. He emphasized that the funding is poised to revitalize air traffic control facilities in underserved community airports, enhancing their operational standards.

FAA’s Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, elaborated on the benefits, noting that these funds would augment resources for airports, ensuring efficient operations within control towers and seamless communication with aviators. This not only improves airport safety but also stimulates job creation and local economic growth.

Among the airports receiving aid are:

1. Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Arizona receives $2 million for enhancements to its Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), covering fire safety, FAA communication upgrades, security measures, and more, as outlined in the recent ATCT Facility Needs Assessment.
2. The University of Oklahoma – Max Westheimer Airport benefits from a $2 million contribution towards constructing a new ATCT, replacing the old one to improve visibility, security, ADA compliance, and energy efficiency.
3. Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas is allocated $2 million to fund the build of a new ATCT aimed at rectifying visibility, ADA compliance, and structural integrity issues.
4. Jefferson City Memorial Airport secures $1.3 million for building a new ATCT with enhanced space, replacing the outdated temporary facility from 1973.
5. Bend Municipal Airport in Oregon is awarded $1.29 million for the partial construction of a new ATCT.
6. Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York receives $1.2 million to refurbish its 40-year-old ATCT, including upgrades to roofing, lighting, and communications.
7. Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Pennsylvania gets $1.2 million for the second phase of renovating its 43-year-old ATCT, including a new elevator installation.
8. Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi is granted $1.1 million for updates to its 20-year-old ATCT, enhancing various building systems and finishes.
9. Mankato Regional Airport in Minnesota receives $1.05 million for the initial phase of ATCT construction, covering environmental assessments and design work.
10. Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Orlando, Florida is allocated $1 million for designing a new ATCT that meets updated FAA visual standards.
11. Albuquerque Double Eagle II Airport in New Mexico receives $1 million for extensive upgrades to its ATCT, including HVAC, lighting, and emergency systems.
12. Cheyenne Regional Airport in Wyoming is awarded $850,000 for improvements to its ATCT, addressing structural and utility enhancements.
13. Olive Branch Airport in Mississippi gets $750,000 for the upgrade and rehabilitation of its ATCT, focusing on communication and lighting systems.
14. Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia receives $675,000 to replace outdated equipment in its ATCT.
15. Victoria Regional Airport in Texas is allocated $620,628 for enhancing communication and weather reporting systems in its ATCT.
16. Fullerton Municipal in California receives $500,000 for the rehabilitation of its ATCT, including ADA improvements and utility upgrades.
17. Ardmore Municipal Airport in Oklahoma is granted $500,000 for the renovation of its ATCT, updating windows, HVAC, and communication equipment.
18. Caldwell Executive Airport in Idaho receives $360,000 for the initial design and environmental analysis for a new ATCT.
19. Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field in Michigan is awarded $350,000 for upgrading its ATCT’s communication systems and window shades.
20. Lawrence J. Timmerman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin receives $254,372 for the enhancement of its ATCT, focusing on structural and insulation improvements.

This financial injection is part of the FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grants Federal Contract Tower Competitive Grant program and follows nearly $1 billion allocated to 114 airports across the nation through the Airport Terminals Program. These grants aim to sustain and improve the infrastructure of small town and regional airports, enhancing safety and communication capabilities.

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a monumental investment in the country’s infrastructure, aiming to refurbish roads, bridges, railways, enhance public transit, and modernize airports and ports. With over $427 billion already announced for more than 50,000 projects, and over $640 billion in private sector investments attracted, this initiative marks a significant advancement in the nation’s competitiveness and infrastructure renewal.

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