FAA awards $4.6 million to Eastern Iowa Airport to rebuild taxiway

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday it has awarded The Eastern Iowa Airport about $4.629 million to make improvements.

The award will be used to rebuild a taxiway that serves the entire airport and update airport lighting vault equipment.

The FAA funds will cover 90 percent of costs, while the airport commission will cover the remaining 10 percent, according to airport spokesperson Pam Hinman.

The award was part of more than $636 million in funding the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FAA announced. The 320 grants are going to 46 states and American Samoa.

Airport Improvement Program grants fund projects such as planning, airport safety improvements, airport development and airport noise compatibility.

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“From passenger travel to cargo operations, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to make our aviation system safer, more accessible, and more resilient through initiatives like the Airport Improvement Program,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

This project adds to improvements the airport has made in recent years. The airport broke ground last year on the final phase of its $120.9 million terminal modernization project.

Federal funds also provided a significant boost to that project. The FAA awarded $20.4 million, and the state awarded $28.3 million from the Iowa Commercial Aviation Infrastructure Fund created by Gov. Kim Reynolds using money from the Democrat-backed federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Once complete, the improvements will improve travel and passenger amenities, expand concourse space to accommodate larger planes and position the airport to capitalize on growing demand.

The fourth phase of the terminal modernization includes remodeling the rest of the terminal from Gates 4 to 9. It will add 32,000 square feet, including four additional jet bridges, a larger patio with a license to serve alcohol, a sensory room for people overstimulated by travel and a pet relief area.

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