WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a total of $12.4 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant funding to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Spokane International Airport (GEG) to modernize the airports’ terminals. DOT awarded the funding through the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), which is one of three aviation initiatives established under the BIL.
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), a member of the Committee, applauded the awards and emphasized the importance of investing in the state’s airport infrastructure.
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Washington airports like Sea-Tac and Spokane International have the funding they need to modernize terminals and prepare for increased demand,” said Larsen. “As more people rely on air travel, building better airport terminals improves the passenger experience, enhances U.S. competitiveness, boosts long-term economic growth and creates more jobs.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Washington state,” said Strickland. “Modernizing and investing in our regional airports boosts our local economy, makes air travel easier and more accessible, and will help meet our growing demand for air travel.”
What Airport Stakeholders Are Saying
Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho and Spokane Airports CEO Larry Krauter celebrated the awards and outlined how the funding will help build better terminals at Sea-Tac and Spokane International.
“Anyone who has ever been stuck in traffic for 30 minutes between I-5 and the airport terminal knows that the full return of air travel demand and the growth in regional economic activity have strained SEA’s infrastructure, including its principal roadway for arriving visitors,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho. “This federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will modernize and widen the SEA Arrivals Drive, create two new lanes that will reduce congestion, create dedicated access to the Parking Garage for taxis and other commercial ground transportation service providers, and reduce impacts to surrounding local communities. Our deepest appreciation to the Biden Administration, the FAA, Representative Larsen, and the other members of the Puget Sound Congressional delegation for making these funds available to our airport.”
“We are thankful for the funding received in this round of the BIL-ATP grant program,” said Spokane Airports CEO Larry Krauter. “This grant award provides funding to continue the progress we have made on the Terminal Renovation and Expansion (TREX) project here at Spokane International Airport and reduces the amount of debt-financing required to complete the program. We want to thank and recognize Rep. Larsen who advocated for the creation of the Airport Terminal Program as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and for his support of all commercial service airports in Washington state who are putting BIL-ATP funds to work in our communities and creating jobs while upgrading and expanding terminal facilities.”
The BIL is Building Better Washington Airports
So far, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested approximately $225.6 million in Washington state airports to replace and modernize airport infrastructure, including $82.565 million via the Airport Terminal Program since 2022.
On Thursday, the DOT awarded a total of $970 million in ATP funding to 114 airports nationwide, including:
- $10.4 million for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to widen its arrivals terminal access road by two lanes, including realignment of the departures access road and associated infrastructure.
- $2 million for Spokane International Airport to fund up to two additional ticket counters and Passenger Boarding Bridges and portions of the HVAC, mechanical, electrical, plumbing upgrades, shared-use and hearing impaired technology, smart glass, solar energy connection, baggage handling systems and considerable Americans with Disabilities Act improvements.
For a full list of airports receiving ATP awards, click here.
The BIL is Working for Washington
Thanks to Larsen and Strickland’s leadership, $8.2 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been invested in Washington state infrastructure as of January 2024, with more than 600 specific projects identified for funding statewide. For more information on how the BIL is benefiting Washington state, click here.
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