DRIVING THE NEWS: Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and U.S. Congressman Andy Barr Highlight Modernization Upgrades at Kentucky’s Blue Grass Airport
LEXINGTON, KY – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) today visited Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport (LEX) to tour the air traffic control tower and participate in a roundtable with local leaders. During the visit, Secretary Duffy and Representative Barr highlighted critical modernization and family-friendly investments being delivered at the Speed of Trump.
“The Blue Grass State is lucky to have a champion like Congressman Barr in Washington to secure countless transportation infrastructure wins for hardworking Kentuckians," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The Working Families Tax Cut Act delivered a much-needed downpayment to overhaul America’s air traffic control system, and thanks to Congressman Barr’s vote, $17 million from that bill is being invested right here at LEX.”
Thanks to President Trump and Republicans in Congress like Representative Barr, the Working Families Tax Cut Act delivered a $12.5 billion investment into America’s air traffic control system. This brand-new air traffic control system will enhance safety, reduce delays and make the travel experience more seamless for families nationwide.
By the end of 2028, $17 million will be invested at LEX to:
- Install new radios*
- Replace the old copper wire with new high-speed fiber.*
- Install a brand-new Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI)
- Install new radars
- Replace displays for Controllers
- Install a new Tower Simulation System (TSS)
- Install new IP Voice Switches
*Already complete
LEX is also receiving a $3.8 million investment from USDOT to upgrade restrooms to make them more family friendly.
“Blue Grass Airport is a critical economic engine for Central Kentucky, and its infrastructure must keep pace with the record growth we are seeing,” said Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06). “I was proud to help secure significant federal investment through the Working Families Tax Cut to modernize Blue Grass Airport and support its continued growth, and I am grateful to Secretary Duffy for his partnership in putting those resources to work. But our work is not finished. I have worked alongside Senator McConnell, Secretary Duffy, and airport leadership to make the replacement and relocation of the Air Traffic Control Tower a priority, and I will continue fighting to secure the federal resources necessary to get it done. Central Kentucky is growing, and I am committed to making sure Blue Grass Airport has the infrastructure it needs to grow with it.”
Additional Information:
Under Secretary Duffy’s leadership, the FAA is moving at the Speed of Trump to make upgrades to our air traffic control system nationwide. In just one year we have:
- Replaced 60% of all copper wires
- Converted 363 radio sites nationwide
- Installed 96 new Surface Awareness Initiative systems
- Transitioned 19 towers to electronic flight strips
- Installed 151 IP voice switches at control towers
As a part of the Trump Administration’s plan to usher in a Golden Age of Travel, Secretary Duffy has directed the FAA to invest nearly $1 billion into family-friendly airport projects–including children’s play areas, sensory rooms and family-friendly restrooms.
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