Larsen: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is working for NW Washington airports

FAA announces $2.8 million in grants for Friday Harbor, Lopez Island and Anacortes airports

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN |||

EVERETT, WA – This week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced three grants totaling $2,841,542 to modernize airport infrastructure, improve runway safety and create jobs at Friday Harbor Airport, Lopez Island Airport and Anacortes Airport.

The grants come from FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grant program (AIG), which was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest in the planning and development of public-use airports. The BIL invests $15 billion over five years in the AIG program.

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, celebrated FAA’s announcement and what it means for Northwest Washington airports.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, airports in Friday Harbor, Eastsound and Anacortes have the funding they need to invest in infrastructure improvements, improve safety and create more jobs,” said Larsen. “You cannot have a big-league economy with little league infrastructure, and these critical investments will ensure Northwest Washington airports can continue to drive the regional economy and support local jobs.”

What Local Airports Are Saying

Representatives from the Ports of Friday Harbor, Lopez and Anacortes applauded the announcement and emphasized the grants’ importance to the regional economy.

“The Port of Friday Harbor is sincerely grateful for the consistent support and advocacy of Congressman Larsen,” said Port of Friday Harbor Executive Director Todd Nicholson. “This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant will fund the construction of a large commercial hangar intended to expand the fixed base operator services at the Friday Harbor Regional Airport. The infrastructure made possible by this grant simultaneously improves the capabilities at the airport and helps ensure the facility is entirely self-funded without financial support from the community.”

“The Port of Lopez would like to thank Representative Larsen for his work supporting small airports,” said Port of Lopez Airport Manager Rick Hoffman. “Lopez Airport, like most small airports, depends on these FAA grants for improvements and maintenance on the airport. The airport performs several vital functions for the people of Lopez Island. Freight movement, passenger service and the transportation of skilled workers to and from the island. The most important service is medical transportation. Lopez Island does not have a hospital, so any major medical event requires a fight to the mainland.  Having a safe, reliable airport is crucial to this mission.”

“We thank Congressman Larsen and his team for their support in securing the FAA funds needed to repair the aged lighting system at the Anacortes Airport,” said Port of Anacortes Interim Executive Director John Dumas. “The airport is a crucial link for residents of the San Juan Islands and surrounding areas—people who depend on the availability of air travel to deliver goods and services that would otherwise be delayed or not available. These funds will help us continue operating the Anacortes Airport safely and efficiently, supporting these residents as well as local businesses that call the airport home.”

How the BIL Benefits Northwest Washington Airports

So far, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested approximately $300.9 million in Washington state airports to replace and modernize airport infrastructure.

This week, FAA awarded more than $148 million in AIG grants to 73 airports nationwide, including:

• $1,945,542 to the Port of Friday Harbor for the construction of a new hangar at Friday Harbor Airport
• $448,000 to the Port of Lopez for runway safety improvements at Lopez Island Airport
• $448,000 to the Port of Anacortes for runway improvements at Anacortes Airport

For more information on AIG grants, click here.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is Working for Washington

Thanks to Larsen’s leadership, $8.4 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been invested in Washington state infrastructure as of February 2024, with more than 660 specific projects identified for funding statewide. For more information on how the BIL is benefiting Washington state, click here.