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U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Formally Awards Nearly $48 Million in Infrastructure Grants to Colorado Airports

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine L. Chao visited Denver International Airport today where she formally announced that 28 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants totaling almost $48 million have been awarded to Colorado airports in Fiscal Year 2019. 

“Infrastructure projects funded by these grants will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Of the nearly $48 million awarded to Colorado airports in FY 2019, Secretary Chao awarded Denver International Airport nearly $18.9 million.  This investment includes rehabilitation of Runway 17R/35L, parts of Taxiways B and H, and its related lighting systems.

Many of Colorado’s airports serve as economic engines in their communities, as well as providing important lifelines to rural communities.  Denver International Airport is a major economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $26 billion for the region annually. 

During her visit, Secretary Chao also announced $477 million in the third round of AIP grants to airports across the country, which include investments in Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Yampa Valley Regional Airport, the Montrose Regional Airport, and the Rangley Airport.

Colorado Springs Municipal Airport is receiving a $2.05 million AIP grant to help with design of a de-icing apron as well as reconstruction of 11,000 feet of runway.  Future construction of this project will be funded by a combination of local and AIP funds.

Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden is receiving a grant of nearly $1.6 million.  They will fund the start of a three-phase terminal building expansion project, purchase of snow removal equipment, and rehabilitation of an apron and two taxiways.

Montrose Regional Airport is receiving $682,199 to fund design of a terminal expansion project to allow more efficient movement of passengers and luggage. 

Rangley Airport will receive $104,401 for new runway signs and repainting or runway markers to meet current FAA design standards.

Airports can be a boon to low-income communities, especially rural communities.  Secretary Chao announced that in Fiscal Year 2019, 12 out of 28 AIP grants that will be made to Colorado will go to low-income communities designated as Opportunity Zones.

During this administration, Colorado received DOT FASTLANE and INFRA grants totaling more than $102 million for highway improvements on US 550, I-25 and I-70 in FY2017 and 2018.

Colorado also received more than $65 million in BUILD (and its predecessor TIGER) grants that are contributing to projects across the state. These projects include reconstruction and widening of bridges, as well as installing fiber optic cable along 540 miles of Colorado’s interstate corridors. 

These investments in transportation infrastructure will position Colorado to benefit during this period of economic growth. 

Click on the link below for a complete listing of AIP grants announced today: https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/grantapportion_data/

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