WA Airports Get $82.1M For Upgrades From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding

WA Airports Get $82.1M For Upgrades From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding

Cantwell announces $39.4M for Sea-Tac, $22.1M for Paine Field, $10.2M for Bellingham International, $6M for Spokane International, $2.7M for Tri-Cities; Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport and Quillayute Airport near Forks also receive funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced that seven airports across the State of Washington received a total of $82,161,209 in grants through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the Airport Terminal Program (ATP). AIP grants fund airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings. ATP grants address the aging infrastructure of the nation's airports, funding projects to improve airport terminals, airport traffic control towers, and on-airport rail and bus connections.

Sea-Tac Awards: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will receive $30,200,000 to fund a portion of the early construction work for the South Concourse Reconstruction Project, including structural, seismic, building system upgrades, and compliance with ADA requirements. The airport will also receive $9,252,168 to add two traffic lanes to the "arrivals" roadway, accommodating more vehicular traffic, and reducing congestion for passengers leaving the airport. The total of the two awards is $39,452,168.

"Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the international gateway to the Pacific Northwest, serving more than 50 million travelers a year," said Sen. Cantwell. "This funding will support early construction work on the S Concourse, including critical seismic work and ADA upgrades. A second grant will allow the airport to add two lanes to its arrivals roadway, easing curbside congestion and saving travelers a total of 72.5 million hours over the next 20 years."

Paine Field Award: Paine Field will receive $22,150,542 to rehabilitate 2,100 feet of existing paved Runway 16R/34L north portion. The project aims to repair "blisters" which have accumulated in the asphalt since it was paved in 2019. Left unrepaired, these blisters would significantly reduce the runway's useful life. The airport will also redesign confusing taxiway layouts to improve safety, and convert runway lighting to LEDs, which will save energy and maintenance costs.

"Having just opened its passenger terminal in 2019, Paine Field expects to serve as many as four million passengers by 2040," said Sen. Cantwell. "This funding will rehabilitate 2,100 feet of the airport's main runway, correct confusing taxiway layouts, and upgrade runway lighting. These improvements protect the $59 billion in annual economic impact and 159,000 jobs Paine Field supports."

Bellingham Awards: Bellingham International Airport will receive $9,294,499 to reconstruct existing Runway 16/34 lighting that has reached the end of its useful life, rehabilitate pavement along the runway centerline, and redesign confusing taxiway layouts. The airport will also receive $964,000 to upgrade the utility plant that serves the commercial terminal. Upgrades include replacement of chiller units and associated equipment. The total of the two awards is $10,258,499.

"Bellingham is approaching 100,000 residents, and Bellingham International Airport is working hard to add new flights to serve them," said Sen. Cantwell. "This funding will revitalize the runway, bringing the airport up to date with current FAA standards and keeping Bellingham's only runway safe and reliable for the commercial flights, cargo operations, and general aviation pilots that depend on it every day."

Spokane Award: Spokane International Airport will receive $6,000,000 to fund a portion of the Concourse C West Terminal Expansion, which includes a consolidated security screening checkpoint with additional family and pre-check lanes and baggage claim areas that meet ADA requirements to enhance the family travel experience. Cantwell was present for the grand opening of an initial phase of the expansion in May 2024. Video of Sen. Cantwell's remarks at that event are available HERE; photos of the event are HERE; and a transcript is HERE.

"Spokane International Airport set another record in 2025 with more than 4.3 million passengers served, the second straight year of record-breaking traffic for the Inland Northwest's main air travel hub," said Sen. Cantwell. "This funding advances Phase II of the TREX project, building a Central Hall that will fully connect Concourses A, B, and C. Travelers across Eastern Washington will also benefit from a new, modern TSA checkpoint with dedicated family screening lanes and more accessible baggage claim areas."

Tri-Cities Award: Tri-Cities Airport will receive $2,700,000 to fund a portion of their terminal improvements project that includes an upgraded outbound baggage make-up area and three additional passenger boarding bridges.

"Tri-Cities Airport is in the midst of a decade-long terminal redevelopment plan, and this funding builds on previous federal investments to keep pace with passenger growth and support the region's economy," said Sen. Cantwell. "The grant will help expand the airport's outbound baggage area and complete three new passenger boarding bridges, allowing Tri-Cities to handle larger aircraft and giving Central Washington travelers more options to fly without routing through Seattle."

Quillayute (Forks) Award: Quillayute Airport will receive $1,250,000 for resealing of runway and main apron pavement to extend its useful life and improve the safety and efficiency of aircraft operating at the airport.

"Quillayute Airport is a critical piece of aviation infrastructure on Washington's coast, supporting general aviation and emergency response on the Olympic Peninsula," said Sen. Cantwell. "This funding will help reseal key parts of the tarmac, protecting prior federal investments, extending the useful life of the facility, and improving safety for the pilots who rely on it."

Pullman Award: Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport will receive $350,000 to rehabilitate existing Taxiway A and Taxilane A1, A2, A3, and A4 connectors markings. These markings have been damaged by years of weather and snow removal, which causes decreased visibility for pilots. Rehabilitation of the markings will restore visibility and improve safety.

"Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport keeps the Palouse connected to the rest of the country, and upgrading pavement markings is one of the most cost-effective safety investments an airport can make," said Sen. Cantwell. "Eastern Washington winters wear down runways and taxiways quickly. This project will help ensure reflective markings are in place to help pilots fly in low-visibility conditions."

Sen. Cantwell worked hard to secure funding for air travel infrastructure nationwide as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With her support, the infrastructure package provided a total of $25 billion for airport improvements, including $5 billion for the Airport Terminal Program (ATP) and $15 billion in Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG). In 2023, airports across the state of Washington received nearly $200 million in federal funding through a combination of AIG, ATP, and the Airport Improvement Program, and in 2024, Washington state airports received over $133 million in federal funding.

In addition, Sen. Cantwell also helped to secure over $217 million in Airport Rescue Grants for Washington airports to help them weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2024, Sen. Cantwell additionally shepherded the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which reauthorized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for five years. The new law included top Cantwell priorities including enhancing safety oversight, strengthening workforce development, boosting next-generation aviation innovation, and codifying consumer protections.