Kiara Santos TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Feb 16, 2024 Updated Feb 17, 2024 0
Philadelphia International Airport is receiving $20 million in new infrastructure funding, officials announced on Friday.
The funds are coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Terminal Program, created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which was signed into law by President Biden in 2021.
The law authorizes $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending with $550 billion going toward new investments and programs.
Mayor Cherelle Parker, Sen. Bob Casey, U.S. Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon, Dwight Evans and Brendan Boyle convened to make the announcement at the airport.
“I’m pleased to see the Biden-Harris administration delivering for Philadelphia and the region again with more of the Infrastructure and Jobs Act funding I voted for,” Evans said.
The funding for the airport will be used to upgrade the airport’s HVAC and electrical systems, enhancing efforts to create a modern, sustainable airport.
In 2023, the funding allowed for the Terminal Energy Optimization Program, also called TEOP, to invest in the creation of rooftop units for Terminal E, LED light upgrades and other modifications to the airport’s infrastructures with a $15 million grant.
This fiscal year, $20.4 million will go to more rooftop units in Terminal A, B/C and D/E baggage claim, Terminal D ticketing and hammerhead and a pedestrian bridge from Terminal A to Terminal E.
“This is not only an investment in a safer and more energy efficient airport experience but an investment in the future success of an economic linchpin of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth,” Casey said.
The airport, under the IIJA, has received $347,045,577 in federal investments since the start of 2021. The breakdown of this grant is $164,457,029 to give the airport increased flexibility to invest in upgrading key infrastructure including construction on the airport’s cargo terminal, energy and lighting enhancements and upgrades to the airport’s restrooms.
A sum of $67,405,482 has been given in funding through the annual spending bill, to improve the airport’s taxiway and invest in low-emissions infrastructure.
$115,183,066 has been given from the American Rescue Plan to help the airport recover from the pandemic and prepare for the resumption of normal service.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act has resulted in tens of millions of dollars coming to Philadelphia in just the last month alone,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “Federal funds to upgrade our water and sewer systems, to invest in workforce development and jobs training, and now, to upgrade and invest in our airport.”
This is intergovernmental collaboration at its best. We’re very grateful to Senator Casey and our entire Federal delegation for their work in bringing this grant to the airport.”
Parker also remarked on the recent string of infrastructure announcements that will impact Philadelphia. $25 million was announced last month for improving the city’s water and sewer treatment facilities. One and a half million was announced earlier in the week for workforce development and training. The $20.4 million announced grants a total of $50 million in infrastructure to the city, the mayor said.
Parker told reporters the funding is part of her plan of a growing tax base in the city, hoping to leverage the federal funding to other city funding into other revenue generating opportunities for the city and it’s overall infrastructure.
Scanlon spoke about the nature of the bill alongside Casey about the bipartisan nature of the bill and how it promotes Philadelphia in the global economy, especially in time for the FIFA World Cup, America’s quarter centennial birthday celebration and the Major League Baseball All Star Game.
“Modernizing our region’s airport infrastructure will improve air travel for passengers and position our local economy for success in an increasingly competitive global economy,” she said.