Alabama will be getting $60.9 million in Federal Aviation Administration airport safety and infrastructure grants.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced this week the money will be available for 100 percent of the eligible costs under the CARES Act, which provided broad relief from the coronavirus pandemic. In all, $1.187 billion in aid is flowing to the nation’s airports as part of the package.
This is in addition to $54 million in federal grants in grants that were announced earlier this month.
Alabama airports are expecting tens of millions in operating losses because of the virtual elimination of passenger traffic – which is also affecting revenue at hotel airports and parking revenue.
For Alabama, 28 grants were awarded to 25 local airports. Among the projects are $7.97 million for Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport, to rehabilitate runways and improve drainage. Huntsville International Airport is getting $22.3 million to reconstruct runway lighting, rehabilitate runways and acquire an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle. Mobile will receive $8.8 million to rehabilitate a runway.
Tuscaloosa Regional Airport will also receive $8.5 million for runway work.
Other airports receiving money are Albertville, $342,000; Atmore, $300,000; Bay Minette, $150,000; Bessemer, $150,000; Brewton, $135,000; Camden, $293,000; Clanton, $500,000; Decatur, $526,500; Dothan, $1.27 million; Fairhope, $550,000; Florala, $382,500; Foley, $325,000; Fort Payne, $67,000; Gadsden, $150,000; Guntersville, $150,000; Hartselle; $413,700; Pell City, $351,000; Reform, $144,000; Roanoke, $111,000; Scottsboro, $278,000; Sylacauga, $90,000; Talladega, $234,000.
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