House, Senate Bills Propose Boost for Airport Construction Grants

Both bills propose a gradual increase to the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program grants

Tom Ichniowski, Engineering News-Record

Both the House and Senate have introduced multi-year bills for a new Federal Aviation Administration authorization. Both bills call for increases in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) infrastructure grants.

The Senate's bill raises the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP)raises the grants in steps from the current $3.35 billion to $2.75 billion by 2021. The House's bill also calls for gradual increases to a maximum of $3.82 by 2023.

"That funding level has been flat for so long, that any increase is welcome," said Brian Deery, senior director of the Associated General Contractors of America's highway and transportation division. "Airport runway needs continue to grow and at least this is a step in the right direction."

(more on the two proposed FAA bills...)

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