Cassidy Announces $11.8 Million for Louisiana Airport Improvements from His Infrastructure Law

Strategic Insights -

Louisiana is set to receive a significant investment in airport improvements, with U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announcing $11,762,702.00 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This funding comes through Cassidy's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program. The investment aims to enhance safety, modernize infrastructure, and support the state's economy, commerce, and tourism.

Key Takeaways:

  • The funding will support 8 airport projects across Louisiana, including safety upgrades, runway and taxiway improvements, and terminal modernization.
  • The biggest single award is $6,635,243.00 for the Lafayette Airport Commission, which will be used to shift Taxiway B by 70 feet to bring Lafayette Regional/Paul Fournet Field into conformity with current standards.
  • The funding also includes $2,159,000.00 for rehabilitation of 2,893 feet of Taxiway B at New Orleans Lakefront Airport, and $1,031,325.00 for reconstruction of existing terminal chillers at Shreveport Regional Airport.
  • Additionally, the grant will provide $585,000.00 for reconstruction of Runway 18/36 at John H. Hooks Jr. Memorial Airport, and $426,000.00 for construction of an 8,400 square foot sponsor-owned hangar at the Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport.
  • Shreveport Airport Authority will receive $387,577.00 for design of 8,882 square feet of terminal reconstruction, and $339,153.00 for terminal expansion by 20,000 square feet.
  • The parish of Allen (Oakdale) will receive $126,000.00 for design of upgrades at Oakdale Airport, and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport will receive $72,404.00 for reconstruction of threshold light bar pavement at Runway 22R.

Statistics:

  • Total funding: $11,762,702.00
  • Number of airports involved: 8
  • Total square footage of reconstructed or expanded terminal space: 38,400 sq. ft.
  • Total length of reconstructed or improved runways and taxiways: 6,270 ft.
  • Number of jobs potentially created by these projects: Not specified
  • Type of projects funded: Safety upgrades, runway and taxiway improvements, terminal modernization, and airport expansion

Sources:

  • [Cassidy, Bill. "Cassidy Announces $11.8 Million for Louisiana Airport Improvements from His Infrastructure Law." Cassidy Senate Website, 15 Sept. 2023, https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-announces-11-8-million-for-louisiana-airport-improvements-from-his-infrastructure-law/]