U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $1.9 Million in Infrastructure Grants to Six Airports in Washington State

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

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 Washington State 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 Washington State airport grants include the following awards:

  • $225,000 to the Davenport Airport to install airport beacons and miscellaneous navigational aids and rebuild and extend a runway.
  • $100,000 to the Omak Airport to repair an apron and taxiway.
  • $410,534 to the Quillayute Airport to repair the runway.
  • $794,121 to Pearson Field in Vancouver to rebuild airfield guidance signs, repair the runway and install a runway vertical/visual guidance system.
  • $205,000 to the Methow Valley State Airport in Winthrop to expand the apron.
  • $150,000 to the Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field to repair the runway and runway lighting and to install miscellaneous navigational aids.

The FAA will award grants to 232 airports in 43 states, including American Samoa, the 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.