USDOT announces $12.5 million in infrastructure grants to 10 airports in Wyoming

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $659.8 million in Airport Improvement Program grants to 390 airports in 47 States, of which $12.5 Million will be awarded to 10 airports in Wyoming. The grant funding will be administered by the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division.

The U.S. transportation infrastructure, with its 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways as an essential component, increases the country’s competitiveness and improves the traveling public’s quality of life. According to WYDOT’s most recent economic analysis, 35 airports in the Wyoming Aviation System account for $1.4 billion in total economic activity and support more than 12,000 jobs annually.

In addition to administering the funding, WYDOT’s Aeronautics Division represents and advocates for projects for local governments. The Aeronautics Division is also involved with the planning and engineering of these projects.

All of the projects put forward in the planning phase are approved by the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission through the Aeronautics Division’s Wyoming Aviation Capital Improvement Program. Projects are thoroughly vetted and all necessary information has been coordinated before grant applications are made.

The FAA typically awards between $30-35 million to Wyoming airports each year. The state gives an average of $8.5 million yearly to match federal and/or local funds for airport development.

Among the grant awards announced are the following projects at Wyoming airports:

• Casper/Natrona County International Airport – $2.7 million to rehabilitate Taxiway “C,” which is the primary connection to the crosswind runway;
• Yellowstone Regional Airport (Cody) – $399,000 to update the airport’s master plan;
• Yellowstone Regional Airport (Cody) - $1.9 million to expand the airport’s commercial apron to accommodate parking additional commercial aircraft;
• Dubois Municipal Airport - $80,000 to rehabilitate the aircraft parking apron and install lighting in the apron area;
• Fort Bridger Airport - $565,000 to rehabilitate the aircraft parking apron;
• South Big Horn County (Greybull) - $255,000 to expand the airport snow removal equipment building;
• Laramie Regional Airport - $4.45 million to rehabilitate runway 3/21 pavement and signage;
• Ralph Wenz Field (Pinedale) - $182,000 to design the rehabilitation of the aircraft parking apron;
• Rawlins Municipal Airport/Harvey Field - $303,000 to update the airport’s master plan;
• Riverton Regional Airport - $1.6 million to rehabilitate a portion of the general aviation aircraft parking apron; and
• Hot Springs County Airport (Thermopolis) - $100,000 to improve airport drainage.