Baltimore-Washington Airport gets $16.8 million grant for runway improvement program

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) donated a $16.8-million grant this week to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) Airport to complete the fourth of a multi-phase comprehensive taxiway improvement program for two runways.

This Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant will help fund the continued relocation and reconfiguration of various parts of the airport taxiway system to meet FAA safety and design standards, eliminate unclear taxiway configurations, provide a dual-parallel taxiway system and enhance airport capacity to permit unrestricted operations during low-visibility conditions. Over the last 15 years, the FAA has provided more than $200 million in AIP funds to the airport for various airfield development projects.

Construction on the FAA-funded phase of the program is scheduled to begin this month and is expected to be completed within the next calendar year. The total program cost is estimated at $67 million, with $37 million in federal funds being used for the first four phases.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the current grant demonstrates the agency’s commitment to airport infrastructure improvements that ensure the safe travel of the American public.

“As a result of this long-term economic investment, Baltimore-area residents and surrounding communities will experience the economic benefits of ongoing construction-related job opportunities,” Foxx said.