The U.S. Senate on Sept. 27 unanimously approved a bill introduced by U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Garret Graves (R-LA) and U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) to incentivize the faster completion of federally financed airport construction projects. The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“This proven, smart reform is already in use for road and bridge construction, and it’s just common sense to make this same incentivization tool available for the construction of aviation infrastructure projects,” said U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves. “Delivering airport projects ahead of schedule will save money and essentially provide a similar impact as increasing investment without requiring any additional federal resources.”
Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves agreed. “Every day an airport project isn’t completed, project costs go up and opportunities for economic activity via tourism and business development are missed. Whether traveling for leisure or work, this bill will ensure on-time and under-cost project delivery and will complement the millions in funding we’ve secured for Louisiana’s airports over the past few years.”
The congressmen in the U.S. House introduced the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act, H.R. 468, in January 2021. Sen. Young sponsored the same-named bill, S. 2053, in June 2021 in the U.S. Senate along with Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Ted Cruz (R-TX).
“I am pleased the Senate has passed this bipartisan bill that will help Indiana’s airports continue to make important infrastructure investments,” Sen. Young said on Wednesday.
The measure will expand the eligible uses of funds in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) that are used to help strengthen the nation’s aviation infrastructure, according to information provided by Sen. Young’s office.
Current law does not allow airports to use AIP funds to incentivize early completion of projects, the information says, but the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act will permit airports to use up to $1 million of AIP funding to do so.
“Our state is the Crossroads of America, and Hoosier airports are frequently working to improve their infrastructure and aviation safety with projects on their taxiways and runways,” said Sen. Young referring to his home state. “The bill will help Indiana’s airports complete those critical aviation infrastructure projects in the most efficient way possible.”