The two main airports in Dallas will be getting $80 million for the infrastructure development after a $3 billion federal infrastructure grant have been awarded to airports in the country according to a NBC DFW article from December 20 which reports,
“The FAA announced the first of $3 billion in federal infrastructure grants aimed at the nation’s airports, including more than $80 million for North Texas, but airports are unsure yet how they plan to spend the money.
The money is the first of $15 billion from the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that Congress passed last month, with the biggest chunk by far, $63.8 million, going to DFW International Airport. Dallas Love Field is also getting $16.4 million.
But airports didn’t specifically request the money, and it’s unclear for now how the $3 billion will be spent across the country. North Texas Airports got about $85 million in total out of $241 million for Texas airports.”
The two airports are now brainstorming as to how and where they will spend the allocation since the grant is usually only for the purposes of fixing the runway and taxiway according to a Dallas Morning News article from December 20 which reports,
“However, the airport didn’t identify potential projects. The money could go toward a new terminal, such as the proposed Terminal F project, but that project is still in the design phase and has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and upheaval in the air travel industry.
Dallas Love Field spokesman Chris Perry said the city-operated airport also hasn’t determined how to spend the money.
“In the coming weeks, airports will submit projects they wish to use the funding for,” Alexander-Adams said.
Usually, FAA funds are used to pay for things such as runway and taxiway improvements or other projects that help with the business of aircraft. For example, DFW got $35 million in FAA grants in 2021 to transition to zero-emissions vehicles and for a new firefighting building. Dallas Love Field got $12.8 million for a new taxiway in February, and Fort Worth Alliance got $2.2 million for noise mitigation in July.”
In FAA’s website, they announced that the allocation will be up to the airports themselves and they can opt to choose to use it wherever they deem necessary as long as it will prioritize airport safety, equity and sustainability.
