Senator Murray Announces Over $24 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Heading to Four WA State Airports

Airport Terminal Grant funding heading to Spokane, Sea-Tac, Tri-Cities, and Yakima

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the award of a total of $24,500,000 in federal grants for Spokane International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tri-Cities Airport, and Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program.

The Airport Terminal Program, which received $5 billion over 5 years in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Murray helped pass as then Assistant Majority Leader, works to address aging airport infrastructure through funding for safe, sustainable, and accessible airport terminals, airport-owned airport traffic control towers, and on-airport rail and bus projects that improve multimodal connection.

The federal grants will go to these four airports in the State of Washington:

Spokane International Airport – $2,000,000

• Spokane Airport’s Terminal Renovation and Expansion (TREX) project will expand the existing terminal building by an additional 70,600 square feet to include three new gates and three passenger loading bridges, modernizing the existing upper C Concourse gates, and adding six new ticket counter locations.  This award funds a portion of the final construction phase of the terminal renovation project including approximately three passenger boarding bridges, utilities upgrades, and accessibility upgrades.

“It’s exciting to see this funding go toward the final construction phase of the expansion and renovation at Spokane International Airport,” said Senator Murray. “Soon three new boarding bridges, improved accessibility, and other upgrades will make it possible for Spokane to welcome more visitors with less hassle than ever before. As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I’m committed to delivering even more investments like this to strengthen our transportation infrastructure.”

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – $17,500,000

• This award funds a portion of Phase 1 construction for the South Concourse Reconstruction Project including structural, seismic, and building system upgrades.

“Sea-Tac is the doorway that welcomes so many people to our state, and even to our country—and it’s absolutely crucial we keep its infrastructure up to date,” said Senator Murray. “That’s why I’m pleased to announce this funding, which will make sure this busy hub of activity can get moving on the construction projects and building system upgrades it needs. And as Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I’m continuing to work hard to deliver federal funding like this to Washington state so we can keep our state’s transportation infrastructure strong.”

Tri-Cities Airport – $4,000,000

• This award funds approximately three additional passenger boarding bridges and a portion of the outbound baggage area expansion as part of the overall terminal improvements project to increase efficiency and accessibility.

“As Tri-Cities continues to expand and improve its visitor experience, I’m thrilled to announce this federal funding,” said Senator Murray. “By supporting work on more boarding bridges, more baggage area, and other improvements—these funds will help ensure every visitor gets a first-class experience. As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, it’s a big priority for me to bring back investments like these grants to improve and modernize our transportation infrastructure in every part of the state.”

Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field – $1,000,000

• This award funds the baggage claim system modernization and associated electrical service upgrade to improve resiliency and efficiency.

“I’m pleased to announce this funding which is going to help Yakima modernize their baggage claim and other systems. These are services just about every visitor interacts with in some way—sometimes entrusts their most valuable possessions to—so it matters that we keep them up to date. Which is exactly what this project is about,” said Senator Murray. “As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I am always thrilled to see our federal dollars come back home to Washington state—and I am always working to make that happen.”

The grants will also help support local economies by creating jobs and stimulating economic activity. Airport improvements can attract new airlines and flights, boosting tourism and supporting local businesses.

Since the passage of the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law, Senator Murray has succeeded in securing funding for major airport projects across the state. Including the latest funding announcement, Washington state has now received nearly $100 million from the Airport Terminal Program, not to mention the tens of millions in funding from the related Airport Infrastructure Grants program.

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