Graves' Legislation to Expedite Airport Infrastructure Projects Passes U.S. House

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, released the following statement after legislation he cosponsored, The Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act of 2021 (H.R. 468), passed through the U.S. House today. The legislation aims to allow airports to use up to $1 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds to incentivize early completion of projects through grants to public agencies and other entities for the planning, development, and execution of infrastructure projects at public-use airports, such as runways and taxiways, to deliver projects faster and at a better cost to the American people.

'We need to make sure our airports are ready to handle the increase in travel - whether vacations, leisure or business trips. This legislation takes successful, existing road project programs and implements the same efficient practices to get airport improvement projects completed faster, meaning we will improve the efficiency and capacity of our airports while handling a runway or taxiway that is temporarily out of service. Overall, this is a win-win for airports and taxpayers alike. I'm looking forward to seeing this bill result in more efficient use of taxpayer funds, better flight options, and improved aviation safety,' Graves said.

Click here or above to watch Graves' remarks on the U.S. House floor.

Specifically, the legislation would allow airports, including those with short construction seasons or disruptive airfield projects, to use up to $1 million in AIP money to incentivize a contractor to complete the project early - optimizing local airports' ability to leverage the AIP so they can get facility improvements up and running for air travelers faster and smoother, helping close the credibility gap created when projects aren't delivered for the public on time.

Under current law, airports are unable to use AIP funds to incentivize early completion of airport projects, even if the early completion would result in significant capacity or efficiency gains for the airport.

Similar incentives are common in the construction of surface transportation projects, and early completion of airport projects can similarly result in cost savings.

U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (MO-6) co-sponsored the legislation.

To view the bill, click here.