WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $478 million in airport infrastructure grants, the fourth allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States.

“This significant investment in airport improvements in Virginia will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The following airports will receive grants:

Charlottesville-Albemarle in Charlottesville, $3,690,181 – grant funds the expansion of the aircraft parking area.

Culpeper Regional, $330,400 – grant funds the purchase of 16 acres of land for theextension of the northeast side road to mitigate the existing road obstruction to Runway 22.

Danville Regional, $3,553,544 – grant funds the rehabilitation of the aircraft parking area.

Farmville Regional, $3,437,861 – grant funds the rebuilding of the runway and the reconstruction of the runway lighting.

Middle Peninsula Regional in Mattaponi, $1,624,500 – grant funds rebuilding of a taxiway.

Accomack County in Melfa, $94,500–grant funds the rehabilitation of the aircraft parking area. 

New Kent County in Quinton, $300,000 – grant funds an environmental study toevaluate the removal of obstructions on and off the airport and the proposed construction of a hangar.

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional/Woodrum Field, $229,500 – grant funds the reconstruction of airfield guidance signs, runway lighting and taxiway lighting.

The FAA will award grants to 232 airports in 43 states, including American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by these grants will enhance safety and capacity while promoting economic growth in the regions served by each airport.

Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure. 

Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.