US: FAA awards infrastructure grants

FAA has awarded approximately US$733m in airport improvement program (AIP) grants so far in September, including $448.1m in discretionary funds, pushing AIP awards in 2017 over the $3b mark. According to the US DoT, more than 1,660 new grants have been announced this year thus far, providing funds for 681 runway projects and 588 taxiway projects, in addition to signage, terminal renovations, and numerous other allotments, to nearly 1,360 US airports. Grants are awarded to commercial-passenger (primary), commercial service and general aviation airports alike, as well as block grant programs to individual states for non-primary development projects. According to DOT, US airports are entitled to a certain amount of airport improvement program (AIP) grants every year based on passenger volume. Discretionary funds are provided as supplements if an airport’s capital project exceeds its entitlement.<br/>