At this time, FAA is providing discretionary funding to 13 airports based on their high-priority project needs.

The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced the Federal Aviation Administration will award $185.1 million in airport infrastructure grants to 107 airports in 40 states across the United States as part of the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

The airport grant program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, and airport signage, lighting and markings which helps to create thousands of jobs.

“AIP grants will allow airports to complete critical airport infrastructure projects that will help maintain the safety of the nation's airports,” said FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta.

Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, then the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding. At this time, FAA is providing discretionary funding to 13 airports based on their high-priority project needs.

Those receiving discretionary grants are listed here:

•Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska, $17.1 million– to reconstruct Taxiway Yankee and the taxiway lighting system.

•Merrill Field Airport in Anchorage, Alaska, $7 million – to fund several projects including repairs to the apron where aircraft park and Taxiway Quebec used by aircraft to enter and exit the runway.

•Gambell Airport in Gambell, Alaska, $8 million – funds will be used to make repairs to Runway16/34 and the taxiway.

•Nuiqsut Airport in Nuiqsut, Alaska, $1.3 million – to fund repairs to Runway 5/23.

•Ankeny Regional Airport in Ankeny, Iowa, $1.5 million – the grant will fund the construction of a wildlife fence to help prevent wildlife hazards at the airport.

•Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, Iowa, $13.3 million– to make repairs to Runway 13/31.

•Fort Dodge Regional Airport in Fort Dodge, Iowa, $2.5 million– to repair the aircraft parking area also known as the apron.

•McPherson Airport in McPherson, Kan., $1.9 million – the grant will fund repairs to Taxiway A.

•Columbia Regional Airport in Columbia, Mo., $2.7 million– the grant will fund the reconstruction of Taxiway B.

•Reading Regional/Carl A. Spaatz Field in Reading, Pa., $1.8 million– the grant will fund the construction of a wildlife fence to help prevent wildlife hazards at the airport.

•Tweed-New Haven Airport in New Haven, Conn., $3 million – the grant will fund noise mitigation measures for residents near the airport.

•Theodore Francis Green State Airport in Warwick, R.I., $6.9 million– funding will be used to extend Runway 5/23.

•Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, S.C., $7.9 million– grant funding will repair the airport's taxiway.

The FAA will issue AIP grants to the airports over the next several weeks in time to take advantage of the spring and summer construction season. The grants will ensure the projects at these airports are either under construction or completed prior to the onset of the winter season, which comes early in late fall in some parts of the country.

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