The Federal Aviation Administration Thursday awarded $627.7 million in airport infrastructure grants nationwide, including $9 million to Long Beach Airport for taxiway reconstruction.
Other Southland airports receiving funding included:
— $106,587 to Riverside Municipal Airport in Riverside to update the taxiway; and
— $270,000 to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego to acquire equipment.
“Airports serve as a lifeline for communities across the nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “Modernizing our infrastructure in a way that creates jobs, ensures safety, combats climate change and fosters equity is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. These Airport Improvement grants will help airports across the country better serve their communities.”
AIP projects promote safety, efficiency, environmental stewardship, infrastructure and security at the nation’s airports. The grant announcement includes 449 grants to 390 airports in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the Federated States of Micronesia.
“These grants are an investment in safety and continued innovation,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “Every airport in every community plays a vital role in our air transportation system.”
Historically, the AIP grant program receives about $3.2 billion in Congressional funding each year. The FAA will award more than 1,500 grants this year.