Gainesville airport to receive $1.67M for renovations from infrastructure bill
Gainesville Regional Airport is set to $1.67 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to cover a portion of its larger renovation plans.
The money will be used to improve the municipal airport's multi-modal ground transportation facility and is intended to increase accessibility of terminal facilities, according to a news release from the Federal Aviation Administration.
In November 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with a 228-205 vote, largely down party lines. Not one Democrat voted against the plan, while just eight Republicans supported it.
The $550 billion plan is intended to improve roads, bridges, railroads, airports and upgrade public transit around the country. Supporters of the bill say it will improve safety, tackle the climate crisis and create union jobs for decades to come.
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The plan allows for $1 billion annually for the next five years to go toward on terminal grants for airports around the country.
“Americans deserve modern airports that meet the needs of their families and growing passenger demand," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the FAA's release. "Funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, today’s grants will improve airport terminals while also creating good jobs in communities across the country.”
Allan Penksa, Gainesville Regional Airport's chief executive officer, said the local improvements made to the transportation facility are expected to reduce curbside congestion, which has been an ongoing issue.
Specifically, the airport plans to update lighting, have covered walkways to commercial airline terminals, a covered passenger waiting area, restrooms and lanes for taxis and buses that would free up space for pick-up and drop-off vehicles.
The walkways will be connected to a future planned 418-space parking garage. Overall, the airport improvements were expected to cost around $11 million. Penska said the federal funds are a big help toward accomplishing that goal.
"It is part of an overall project," he said.
Last year, GNV Airport celebrated its $18 million, 15,000-square-foot expansion that added two new boarding bridges, 322 gate seats and a small chapel.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville Regional Airport gets $1.67M from Biden infrastructure bill
