Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-03) announced that Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) has been awarded an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant in the amount of $7,177,777 by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration. The funding was awarded to assist with the purchase of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle to improve safety at the airport, as well as to rehabilitate nearly 20,000 feet of runway and more than 15,000 feet of taxiways.
“As the sponsor of the American Rescue Plan, I am proud that it is responsible for another major investment in our city’s infrastructure and one of the main economic engines powering our recovery,” said Yarmuth. “These improvements at our airport will not only help keep passengers safe, they’ll also put people to work and make cargo and passenger transport to and from Louisville more efficient. This is great news for our city and its travelers, for UPS Worldport and our entire business community.”
The funding will be awarded as part of a nationwide $845 million investment in airport safety and accessibility made possible by the American Rescue Plan—legislation Yarmuth helped author and led through Congress—which will be used to award all grants at a 100-percent federal share. This ensures that airports hit hard by the pandemic will be able to receive AIP grants without having to come up with their matching portion.
Kentucky airports will receive more than $15 million in funding in the latest round of grants provided by the Yarmuth-led legislation. A full list of the grants awarded can be found here.
“This funding helps ensure the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is always prepared,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “As a major economic generator for the region, it is critical that SDF’s airfield and facilities are always ready for our cargo and passenger airlines partners, and we are positioned to meet the needs of the future of aviation. We thank Congressman Yarmuth for his continued support of Louisville’s airports.”
In addition to the purchase of the aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle, the grant will help fund the ongoing rehabilitation of 11,887 feet of Runway 17R/35L; 7,250 feet of Runway 11/29; 9,900 feet of the existing Taxiway B; 6,000 feet of the existing Taxiway C; and 1,000 feet of the existing Taxiway M. The rehabilitation work will maintain structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris at the airport.
“We don’t want to just build our airports back to the way things were before the pandemic,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We want our airports to be better than ever–accessible to all, delivering maximum benefit to their communities, and helping directly and indirectly create jobs for millions of Americans.”
Click here to learn more about Congressman John Yarmuth.
