University Park Airport will receive $5.45 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for an ongoing infrastructure project, Pennsylvania U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman announced on Thursday.
The grant from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program will be used for the next phase of a multi-year taxiway rehabilitation project at the airport.
“Plans to rehabilitate the parallel Taxiway A pavement will allow the taxiway to meet current FAA design standards and to increase the size of aircraft hold-bays that will allow larger aircraft to taxi to/from the runway and aircraft parking positions more easily,” Bryan Rodgers, director of the University Park Airport and Penn State Aviation Center, said in a statement.
Penn State’s Board of Trustees approved the multi-phase $35 million project in 2020, with most funding expected to come from federal dollars, along with some money from the Passenger Facility Charge. Work on the initial phases began in 2021.
Construction on the next phase is expected to begin in the spring of 2024, with an anticipated completion in the fall.
“We greatly appreciate the support Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman and the Federal Aviation Administration have given to the airport,” Rodgers said. “… The airport is a vital transportation facility for the region and this latest grant is crucial to the overall funding of the project.”
In addition to the University Park Airport grant, DuBois Regional Airport also will receive $840,000 from the Airport Improvement Program.
“Central Pennsylvania’s airports connect the region to the rest of the world,” Casey said in a statement. “Improving taxiways will make these two airports safer and more efficient. A safe, effective airport means a better experience for travelers and greater investment in the Central Pennsylvania’s economy.”
Since 2021, University Park Airport has received more than $22 million in federal investments from the Airport Improvement Program, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and American Rescue Plan for several projects, including the taxiway, and recovery from pandemic impacts, according to Casey’s office.
“I’m very proud that this federal funding is going towards the Dubois and State College Regional Airports,” Fetterman said in a statement. “This funding, combined with additional investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is making sure airports across Pennsylvania can serve our local communities. It’s an honor to join with my colleagues to announce this important funding.”
