DRIVING THE NEWS: Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Highlights Administration’s Investments into Michigan’s Airports & Support for Auto Industry During Two-Day State Swing
New tech will enhance air traffic controllers’ ability to track planes and vehicles on the runway to prevent incursions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy joined Michigan Representatives Bill Huizenga (MI-04) and Tom Barrett (MI-07) in Michigan to highlight how the Trump Administration is delivering major transportation wins for communities across the Wolverine State. During the visit Secretary Duffy toured key Michigan transportation and manufacturing hubs, including Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, and the Stellantis Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights.
“Michigan is fortunate to have Representatives in Washington like Congressmen Huizenga and Barrett advocating on their behalf. They are fighters that have delivered millions in transportation improvements to their districts. Michigan is the heart of American auto manufacturing and I’m proud to share that the Trump Administration will continue our work to encourage the kind of innovation that supports not just jobs, but entire towns and communities like the ones I visited here in Michigan this week,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
GRAND RAPIDS
Secretary Duffy and Representative Huizenga (MI-04) toured GRR and discussed the $25 million the Administration and Congressional Republicans delivered via the Working Families Tax Cut Act to modernize the airport over the next two years. Secretary Duffy also shared GRR is receiving $6 million from USDOT to build family-family restrooms and hold rooms in the terminal as part of USDOT’s efforts to Make Travel Family Friendly Again.
“The Working Families Tax Cuts not only put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans, this legislation also made significant investments in air travel safety,” said U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga. “I was glad to join Secretary Duffy at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to highlight the modernization happening right here in Michigan. I appreciate the Secretary touring the control tower to thank the air traffic controllers for their hard work and to see first-hand how further investments will help unlock the full potential of GRR!”
With funds from the Working Families Tax Cut Act, $25 million will be invested at GRR to:
- Replace copper telecommunications wires with high-speed fiber*
- Install new radios*
- Install a brand-new Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI)
- Replace IP Voice Switches
- Transition paper flight strips to electronic flight strips
- Replace displays for Controllers
- Install a new radar
*already complete
LANSING
Secretary Duffy joined Representative Barrett (MI-07) for a tour of LAN and a roundtable with aviation stakeholders. LAN will see $17 million invested into its air traffic control system over the next three years thanks to President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut Act—a bill championed by Representative Barrett in Congress.
“Whether flying across the country or driving to work across town, mid-Michiganders deserve safe, reliable transportation. That’s why I’ve been working in Congress and with the Trump administration to invest the people’s tax dollars in local infrastructure that makes a difference. I’m proud to have Secretary Duffy in Lansing to hear about the work our communities are putting in to fix our roads and bridges to continue making transportation safer and smoother,” said U.S. Congressman Tom Barrett.
With funds from the Working Families Tax Cut Act, $17 million will be invested at LAN to:
- Replace IP Voice Switches*
- Install new radios*
- Replace copper telecommunications wires with high-speed fiber
- Replace displays for Controllers
- Install a new radar
*already complete
STERLING HEIGHTS
Secretary Duffy also visited the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant with National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator (NHTSA) Jonathan Morrison. The officials toured the facility and highlighted actions taken by the Trump Administration to revitalize American auto manufacturing and lower prices for consumers, including the Department’s Freedom Means Affordable Cars initiative.
The proposal will:
- Drive down costs for families by resetting fuel economy standards
- Revive American Manufacturing by getting rid of Biden-Buttigieg's back-door EV mandate
- Enhance safety on our roads by encouraging American families to buy newer car models with the latest safety enhancements
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