WASHINGTON –U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $23,156,355 in federal funding to support improvements at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Tipton Airport. The funds are provided through the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

“Ensuring our airports are in the best condition keeps passengers safe, flights on time, and our economy growing. And with these federal resources, we’re not only helping our Baltimore area airports better serve travelers and regional businesses, we’re also creating good-paying, local jobs and protecting our environment,” said the lawmakers. “We will continue working to secure funding for critical infrastructure upgrades across our state because these investments are key to supporting our local economies.”

The federal grants have been awarded as follows:

• $19,951,428 for BWI to reconstruct an existing airport lighting vault that is due to be upgraded;
• $2,016,351 for the Tipton Airport to build a new airport-wide storm water management facility to better handle runoff, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration’s design standards; and
• $1,188,576 for BWI to reduce sources of airport ground emissions, improve airport air quality, and reduce the use of conventional fuels, including through the purchase of four pre-conditioned air units and four ground power units.

AIP funds various types of airport infrastructure projects across the country, including repairs and upgrades to runways, taxiways, airport signage, lighting and markings – all while creating thousands of good-paying jobs in communities in Maryland and across the country. The members have consistently fought to secure funds for airports and terminal operators, including an additional $20 billion to address the financial impacts of the pandemic.