Here’s where millions of dollars for NC airport projects from federal program will go
North Carolina airports will see more than $458 million in federal funding over the next five years.
Almost half of that will go to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which will get roughly $215 million in grants over five years, U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams announced Thursday.
The Charlotte airport will get more than $43 million in fiscal year 2022, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed by President Joe Biden in November.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport will received $14.7 million in the first year and Piedmont Triad International in Greensboro will see $5 million in the first year, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis announced.
Smaller N.C. airports will see funding too, with $1.8 million going to Concord-Pagett Regional Airport, $295,000 going to Charlotte-Monroe Executive and $295,000 going to Hickory Regional Airport in the first year of grants.
The five-year grant totals for each of those airports were not immediately available.
All told, about 71 airports in NC will get funding from the infrastructure package, according to Tillis’ office.
“These investments will go a long way in improving major and regional airports across our state,” Tillis said in a statement.
CLT airport changes and upgrades
The Charlotte airport is a key economic driver for the state, Adams’ office said.
The airport is in the middle of several construction projects, including its $608-million terminal lobby expansion program. The construction projects are part of the airport’s Destination CLT, a $2.5-billion to $3.1-billion capital investment program.
“When I fly in and out of CLT to go to work in Washington, I see the impressive work Charlotte has already started to update and modernize the airport,” Adams said. “By helping to continue renovations like the terminal lobby expansion as well as expanding the number of gates at the airport, we will ensure that all travelers flying to or from Charlotte have an easier and safer journey.”
In addition to the guaranteed grants, CLT can compete with other U.S. airports for an additional $5 billion nationally, according to Adams’ office.
The infrastructure law included $15 billion in funding to redevelop U.S. airports with runway and taxiway improvements, terminal development and noise prevention.
The law also included funds for roads and bridges, public transportation, broadband internet networks projects across the country.
This story was originally published December 16, 2021 at 5:54 PM.
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