Alex Padilla U.S. Senator for California

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) announced that 18 California airports were awarded a combined $81.3 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to bolster aviation infrastructure. The funding comes through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which invests in airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, noise cancellation, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings.

“Californians and the millions of people who visit our state each year deserve a safe and easy airport travel experience,” said Senator Padilla. “That starts with modernizing and rehabilitating outdated airport infrastructure. These critical investments will not just make travel smoother for passengers, but will reduce noise pollution in neighboring communities.”

“These grants will allow us to make critical investments in our airport infrastructure that will enhance the travel experience for millions of visitors and travelers, improve safety, create more jobs, and boost our local economies,” said Senator Schiff.

California airports receiving funding include:

• Los Angeles International Airport — $22.80 million: This project acquires and installs full noise mitigation measures for 400 residences affected by airport noise exposure.

• Van Nuys Airport — $19.45 million: This project reconstructs 3,138 feet of existing paved Taxiway connectors C, D, E, F, H, M, N, P, and Q pavement that have reached the end of their useful lives. This grant is associated with an Airports Infrastructure Grant which funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. This grant funds a portion of the final phase, which consists of reconstruction of 1,788 feet.

• San Diego International Airport — $15 million: This project acquires and installs full noise mitigation measures for 250 residences affected by airport noise exposure.

• San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport — $8.71 million: This project rehabilitates 6,101 feet of existing paved Taxiway A to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life. This grant is associated with an Airport Infrastructure Grant that funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. This grant funds a portion of the total project.

• Hollywood-Burbank/Bob Hope Airport — $7.92 million: This project constructs a new 105,816 square yard Terminal Apron to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This grant funds the final phase, which consists of construction of 74,071 square yards.

• March Air Reserve Base — $3.27 million: This project reconstructs 13,950 square yards of the existing Golf Apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. This grant is associated with an Airport Infrastructure Grant that funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. This grant funds a portion of phase 2, which consists of construction.

• Chino Airport — $1.05 million: This project rehabilitates 500 feet of existing paved Taxiway G to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement to extend its useful life. It also extends existing Taxiways H and L an additional 1,800 feet in length to bring the airport into conformity with current standards, while constructing new 1,800-foot Taxiways K, S, and T to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This grant funds phase 1, which consists of design.

A complete list of AIP awards for California airports is available here. Last year, Senator Padilla announced $219.5 million in grant funding from the FAA through the AIP to upgrade aviation infrastructure. He also announced $89.3 million from the FAA’s Airport Terminal Program, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein previously announced a combined $528 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for airport upgrades and modernizations across California.

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