ICYMI: Secretary Buttigieg and other USDOT Leaders Celebrate Major Investments in Airports Across the Country as Part of Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Tour

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Deputy Secretary Transportation Polly Trottenberg and Under Secretary of Transportation Carlos Monje made stops around the country over the past few weeks to celebrate nearly $1 billion to improve airport terminals. In total, as part of this year’s round of funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the DOT was able to support projects at 114 airports across the country to improve the passenger experience, from wider concourses and new gates, to more efficient baggage systems and modern security screening areas. The historic investment will also make airports more accessible and efficient, while creating good-paying jobs.  

To see a map of the hundreds of airports that have received a total of nearly $3 billion in grant funding over the past three years from the newly-created Airport Terminal Grant program, click here. 

Charlotte, North Carolina 

The Investing in America Tour kicked off with Secretary Buttigieg touching down in Charlotte where he joined Governor Roy Cooper and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to celebrate the $27 million awarded to Charlotte International Airport (CLT) to replace 16 passenger boarding bridges so passengers have a more comfortable experience while boarding their flight. Many jet bridges are decades old, and unreliable.

Media Coverage

Spectrum News: Improving U.S. airports: Buttigieg to visit CLT with $1 billion announcement

Feds promise $45 million to help expand four airports in North Carolina

“The investments are part of unprecedented federal funding in airports, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, that will modernize air travel and improve the passenger experience, all part of the President’s Investing in America agenda,” the White House said in a news release. 

Axios: CLT’s $27M grant will get passengers off planes more easily

“It’s an upgrade to aging infrastructure that’s much, much needed in that fast-growing city,” Buttigieg said. 

WNCT-CBS (Charlotte): Buttigieg promotes ‘good tidings’ of $970M in federal investments at Charlotte airport 

WCCB-CW (Charlotte): Roy Cooper, Pete Buttigieg Tout $27 Million Improvements to Charlotte-Douglas 

It also means more passengers, more jobs – and more opportunities for an already booming North Carolina economy.

WSCO (Charlotte): $27 million in federal grants to be used to update jetways at airport

Queen City News: Charlotte Airport to get $27M in federal funds to improve passenger experience 

Charlotte Business Journal: Charlotte Douglas project brings Buttigieg to airport for pitch of impact of federal grants 

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg awards Charlotte Douglas International Airport with $27M grant 

WCNC-NBC (Charlotte): More upgrades coming to Charlotte Douglas with $27M grant 

“It’s helping Americans go about their days, wherever they are heading with less stress, fewer costs, and focus on what really matters and that is the people who are waiting for them when they land,” Buttigieg said. 

WXII-NBC (Winston-Salem): North Carolina gets investment from US Transportation department toward flights 

“Getting people from one place to the next in the quickest, safest, cleanest, most convenient way, is critical for all of us,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Airports and other transportation are in constant need of improvement.” 

Charlotte Observer: Charlotte airport gets $27M for ‘front of the house’ projects. How they affect travelers 

Business North Carolina: Four North Carolina airports to share in $45 million in federal grants 

Miami, Florida 

The Investing in America Tour continued with Deputy Secretary Trottenberg celebrating $27 million to Miami International Airport (MIA) that will help fund two projects to modernize the Central Terminal and Concourses E and F that include the rehabilitation of an Automated People Mover system so passengers can get to their destination safely and quickly. She joined Mayor of Miami-Dade County Daniella Levine Cava, FAA’s Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. and other airport leaders at a news conference to highlight $112.5 million in grants Florida received to 10 airport projects under FAA’s Airport Terminal Program.

Prior to the news conference, Deputy Secretary Trottenberg toured the current construction of the Concourse E-H ticket counter, which received funding from FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grant in FY 2023—made possible under the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Media Coverage 

WSVN-FOX (Miami): MIA to receive $27 million for terminal upgrades 

The Bond Buyer: Feds tout infrastructure law’s aid to Miami airport construction projects 

“These improvements will help people with disabilities have an easier time getting to and from their destinations. Passengers will save time and headaches with much more efficient security checkpoints,” said Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. 

Miami Today: Miami International Airport advances vast Central Terminal revamp 

Islander News: MIA breaks passenger, cargo traffic records, plans for significant upgrades to facility in 2024 

Travel and Tour World: U.S. DOT Deputy Secretary commemorates significant investment at MIA with visit 
 

Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Following the visit to Miami, the Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff and Deputy Secretary Trottenberg joined U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Mayor of Saint Paul Melvin Carter, Mayor of Minneapolis Jacob Frey and local airport executives to celebrate $20 million awarded to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to expand Terminal 2, a project that includes two new gates that will help meet the airport’s future passenger demand.

Media Coverage 

Minnesota Daily: Second Gentleman praises president’s infrastructure investments at MSP airport 

“Minneapolis-St. Paul, the Biden-Harris administration is invested in your success and that of the businesses, the workers and the traveling public in this region,” Trottenberg said. 

WCCO-CBS: Second gentleman Doug Emhoff visits Minnesota, highlights infrastructure upgrades at MSP

“We’re making generational investments in everything from our taxiways, to roadway safety projects, and we’re providing funding for airports not only here but all over the country,” Emhoff said. 
 

Savannah, Georgia

DOT’s Under Secretary Carlos Monje traveled to Georgia to celebrate the $5 million the Biden-Harris administration awarded to Savannah Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) to help fund a four-gate terminal expansion and $7.75 million for projects at three additional airports in Georgia. He joined the Mayor of Savannah Van R. Johnson along with leaders from the airport and local businesses for a news conference to talk about the economic benefits of these investments.

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WTOC-CBS (Savannah): $5 million in federal funding to help Savannah airport complete expansion project 

WTGS-FOX (Savannah): USDOT Under Secretary highlights $5M grant for Savannah-Hilton Head Airport expansion 

“The great thing about these airport projects is they build pretty quickly. TSA checkpoint is well underway; it will be up and running next year and will have a real impact on people’s lives,” said USDOT Under Secretary of Transportation Carlos Monje. 

WJCL-ABC (Savannah): Undersecretary to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation visits the Savannah Hilton Head Airport
 

New Orleans, Louisiana 

He rounded out the tour in New Orleans at a news conference at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to highlight the $7 million investment to fund the construction for the North/South Connector Road that will connect the two terminals and reduce emissions. The project will eventually provide passenger rail to the terminals.

Media Coverage 

WGNO-ABC (New Orleans): click here to view clip

WDSU-NBC (New Orleans): click here to view clip

New Orleans Airport: https://twitter.com/flyneworleans/status/1765099440065368225