Padilla, Schiff Announce Another $168 Million to Strengthen Airport Infrastructure Across California

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) announced that 46 California airports were awarded a combined $168.85 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to bolster aviation infrastructure. The funding comes through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which invests in airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, noise cancellation, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings. Congress appropriates funding for the AIP annually.

"From large international hubs to the hundreds of small regional or local airports, the Golden State's airports play an essential role in helping millions of Californians and visitors alike get where they need to go," said Senator Padilla. "This tranche of more than $168 million in federal aviation funding will modernize our airport infrastructure to create a safer, smoother passenger experience while creating good-paying jobs and investing in low-emission equipment."

"This federal funding will make a critical investment in California's airports, improving their safety and modernizing their infrastructure, while creating more jobs in communities across the Golden State. I will keep working with Senator Alex Padilla and the entire California delegation to continue to strengthen our transportation system and boost our local economies," said Senator Schiff.

California airports selected to receive funding include:

• Monterey Regional Airport - $25.13 million: This project constructs a new 66,500 square foot terminal to accommodate the movement of passengers and baggage. This grant funds the sixth phase, which consists of construction of 16,625 square feet of the terminal building.

• Los Angeles International Airport - $22.77 million: This funding will be used to extend an existing taxiway by an additional 990 feet in length to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. A second project acquires and installs low-emission equipment, including 42 electric vehicle charging stations.

• San Francisco International Airport - $16.76 million: This project rehabilitates 2,400 feet of an existing paved taxiway to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize foreign object debris.

• Camarillo Airport - $13.47 million: This project rehabilitates 6,013 feet of an existing paved runway to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris, extending its useful life.

• Fresno Yosemite International Airport - $12.53 million: This project reconstructs 9,539 feet of an existing paved runway that has reached the end of its useful life. This grant funds a portion of phase 1, which consists of design and construction of 1,866 feet.

• Ontario International Airport - $10.81 million: The first project reconstructs 5,526 feet of an outdated existing paved taxiway pavement. A second project acquires and installs low-emission equipment, including 24 ground power units.

• Palm Springs International Airport - $7.96 million: This project reconstructs an existing terminal by installing a new baggage handling system to improve the movement of passengers and baggage. This grant funds a portion of phase 1, which consists of site enabling work, building expansion, and proposed electrical work.

• Oakland International Airport - $5.94 million: This project rehabilitates 5,412 feet of an existing paved runway to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life. The grant funds the first phase, which consists of the construction of 2,692 feet.

• Hayward Executive Airport - $5.84 million: This project reconstructs 3,497 feet of an existing paved taxiway that has reached the end of its useful life. This grant funds a portion of the final construction phase.

• Hemet-Ryan Airport - $4.56 million: This project rehabilitates 62,500 square yards of existing East and West Apron pavement to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris. This grant funds the final phase, which consists of the rehabilitation of 41,115 square yards.

A complete list of AIP awards for California airports in this round of funding is available here.

Last month, Senators Padilla and Schiff announced that 72 California airports were awarded a combined $158.4 million in grant funding from the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the AIP. In July, they announced that 18 California airports were awarded a combined $81.3 million from the AIP to bolster aviation infrastructure. Padilla also announced $219.5 million in grant funding from the FAA through the AIP last year to upgrade aviation infrastructure. Additionally, he announced $89.3 million from the FAA's Airport Terminal Program, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein previously announced a combined $528 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for airport upgrades and modernizations across California.

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