PHL, other Pa. airports split $5.9M in state funding

The Philadelphia International Airport and three other Pennsylvania airports have received a combined total of more than $5.9 million from the state. The funds are earmarked for facility upgrades.

PHL Airport is amid an evolution to make it an even more competitive and attractive airport. Among recent and completed changes is the $160 million worth of upgrades to Terminal F that now feature a new baggage claim facility and a food court area that seats more people, among other changes.

Other projects are on-going, including the 1,494 linear-foot extension of Runway 9R-27L and construction of associated taxiway work, which has a price tag of about $193 million.

This project just received $800,000 from the state, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday. The money brings PHL closer to finishing the runway extension – set to be complete next year, according to an airport spokeswoman.

The PHL Airport was one of four airports to receive funding from a larger pool of $5.9 million.

“Investments in our state’s airports support the hundreds of thousands of jobs they sustain while enhancing communities’ economic competitiveness," Wolf said in a statement. "These projects will improve these airports’ operations and safety as well as educational opportunities for future aviation leaders.”

Runway capacity improvement would be a boon for PHL Airport, because it could remedy the issue of overcrowding, since they will allow for more flexibility and efficiency for departures and arrivals.

The investments announced on Thursday are funded by the state Multimodal Fund, created by Act 89, which is Pennsylvania’s transportation funding plan.

The fund established dedicated investments in transit, aviation, rail freight, and pedestrian and bicycle modes, as well as increasing highway and bridge funding, according to Wolf's office.

Here are the three other Pennsylvania airports to receive a share of the funding:

• Pittsburgh International Airport in Allegheny County received $2.4 million to leverage Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds to rehabilitate runways and airfield pavement joints, among others.
• John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport in Cambria County received $1.9 million to support the development of a Business Aviation Management Degree Program with St. Francis University.
• Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Westmoreland County received $805,000 to rehabilitate an apron.

Legislation was filed with Philadelphia City Council that seeks to end a years-long stalemate between Philadelphia and a landowner of 136 acres in Tinicum, Delaware County, adjacent to Philadelphia International Airport.

PHL Airport is also undergoing a $30 million renovation of Terminal B that will feature eight restaurants from Philadelphia's award-winning chefs and restaurateurs, and technological updates like tech-driven gate lounges and iPads.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal