USDOT announces another $7.8 million in infrastructure grants to six airports in Wyoming

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $770.8 million in airport infrastructure grants as part of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States. Earlier this month, it was announced that $12.5 Million will be awarded to 10 airports in Wyoming. This latest announcement brings the total for Wyoming airports to $20.3 Million in grant funds awarded to 16 airports across the state. 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:

• Miley Memorial Field (Big Piney) - $606,054 to upgrade the runway 13/31 electrical system and install a new airport beacon;
• Jackson Hole Airport – $2.6 million to rehabilitate the airport entrance road;
• Kemmerer Municipal Airport - $450,000 to relocate the aircraft fuel system;
• Sheridan County Airport - $538,000 to rehabilitate edge lighting for both of the airport’s runways and taxiway “B”;
• Phifer Airfield (Wheatland) - $3.6 million to rehabilitate the airport’s only runway;
• Worland Municipal Airport - $75,000 to widen an airport hangar taxilane.