FAA grants to support airport traffic control tower upgrades

The Federal Aviation Administration is making $20 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) available for projects that upgrade air traffic control towers at 20 airports in 17 states. The awards are specifically for smaller and regional airports to improve safety operations.

“These investments expand the resources available to airports and help ensure airport traffic control towers across the country and the men and women who work in them are able to effectively do their jobs and communicate with pilots,” FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. said in a statement.

The announcement comes a day after the FAA made $110 million in grants available to increase safety and expand capacity at more than 70 airports.

Some notable projects include:

$2 million for the Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Arizona for improvements to its air traffic control tower, including fire protection, communications, security, electrical, mechanical, interior enhancements and ADA compliance.
$2 million for the University of Oklahoma – Max Westheimer Airport in Oklahoma to supplement construction costs for a new air traffic control tower.
$2 million for the Valley International Airport in Texas to supplement construction costs for a replacement air traffic control tower.
$1.3 million for the Jefferson City Memorial Airport in Missouri to help supplement construction costs to replace the previous 1973 temporary tower facility.
$1.29 million for the Bend Municipal Airport in Oregon to help supplement construction costs for a new air traffic control tower.