TPA Awarded Over $5M for Infrastructure Projects

Tampa International Airport will receive over $5 million in infrastructure grants from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. These grants will fund key improvements to enhance the airport’s operations and safety measures, helping ensure smooth travel for passengers.

TPA secured more than $3 million for grading improvements on taxiway and runway safety areas. The $4.1 million project will focus on turf buildup removal, asphalt restoration, and solving drainage issues. Design work for this vital infrastructure improvement is scheduled to start in October.

Additionally, TPA will receive over $2.1 million to purchase and install a temporary flood barrier. This $2.8 million project, also set to begin design work in October, will help protect the airfield’s electrical and lighting vault buildings. By deploying the barrier during storm surges or floods, it will ensure the vaults near Airside A and the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility remain operational during emergencies.

Both of these essential projects are part of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority’s Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvement Program, aimed at advancing the airport’s infrastructure to meet future demands and challenges.

This month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FAA announced that over 500 projects will receive $1.9 billion in funding nationwide. An additional $269 million has been allocated under FY 2023 Supplemental Discretionary Grants to fund 62 projects across 56 U.S. airports.

Marking a significant milestone, this is the fifth round of AIP grants, making it the largest announcement in the program’s history. These grants fund a variety of airport infrastructure projects, from runways to lighting and signage. The federal government covers a portion of each eligible project, with funds coming from aviation-related taxes and fees.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is funding projects across the country that are making airports safer and more efficient,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. He emphasized that these investments will benefit both passengers and the hardworking employees behind the scenes at airports.

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