FAA Celebrates Improvements at Asheville Regional Airport Paid for with Recovery Act Dollars

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today celebrated the completion of terminal improvements at North Carolina’s Asheville Regional Airport, paid for with $7.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

“Investing in our nation’s airports provides an important avenue for economic growth and helps us compete in the global economy,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “These improvements at Asheville Regional Airport will result in business and employment opportunities in North Carolina that will strengthen America’s future competitiveness.”

The $7.8 million grant paid for improvements to Terminal “A,” including departure gates, the security checkpoint and replacement of two passenger boarding bridges. The funding became available because other Recovery Act-funded airport projects came in under budget.

“Upgrading infrastructure at airports such as Asheville Regional is an important use of Recovery Act dollars, which are helping to improve airport operations locally and across the United States,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

Under the Recovery Act, more than $1.3 billion has been made available nationwide for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. Because of low construction bids for projects, more Recovery Act dollars were available for additional facilities, equipment and airport projects. These grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.