Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Highways and Transit Subcommittee, Aviation Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill establishes a new grant program, to be administered by the Secretary of Transportation, aimed at improving surface transportation infrastructure that connects to public airports. The program will provide funding to States, Indian Tribes, and local governments, including public agencies that control public airports, for eligible projects. Eligible projects must connect to a public airport, involve improvements on land within five miles of that airport, and serve to reduce congestion, expand capacity, provide access to under-connected areas, or rehabilitate existing roadway, rail, or transit infrastructure. These projects can include highway, bridge, public transportation, or passenger rail initiatives. The bill mandates that at least 50 percent of the funds be used for projects connecting to large hub airports and at least 30 percent for those connecting to medium hub airports. The Federal share of project costs will follow existing guidelines, and the non-Federal share can be met using TIFIA credit assistance or passenger facility charges. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $1,000,000,000 annually from the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund these critical airport connection infrastructure improvements.
This bill establishes a new grant program, to be administered by the Secretary of Transportation, aimed at improving surface transportation infrastructure that connects to public airports. The program will provide funding to States, Indian Tribes, and local governments, including public agencies that control public airports, for eligible projects. Eligible projects must connect to a public airport, involve improvements on land within five miles of that airport, and serve to reduce congestion, expand capacity, provide access to under-connected areas, or rehabilitate existing roadway, rail, or transit infrastructure. These projects can include highway, bridge, public transportation, or passenger rail initiatives. The bill mandates that at least 50 percent of the funds be used for projects connecting to large hub airports and at least 30 percent for those connecting to medium hub airports. The Federal share of project costs will follow existing guidelines, and the non-Federal share can be met using TIFIA credit assistance or passenger facility charges. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $1,000,000,000 annually from the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund these critical airport connection infrastructure improvements.