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Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investing $18,352,590 into airports throughout Oregon through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

“Our regional airports are vital hubs for Oregonians, supporting local businesses and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “Investing in critical airport improvements like taxiways and lighting strengthens our infrastructure. I’ll continue to fight for federal investments to improve the efficiency and safety of Oregon’s airports, benefitting the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.”

“Oregonians depend on reliable infrastructure projects like these to support small businesses, emergency responses, and safe travel,” Wyden said. “I’ll continue to fight for important and sensible laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that maintain critical infrastructure and provide necessary enhancements to local airports throughout the state to keep Oregon products and Oregonians moving safely.”

The AIP grant program funds airport infrastructure projects, such as improvements to runways, taxiways, passenger boarding bridges, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings to strengthen our nation’s aviation infrastructure.

The latest awards from the Federal Aviation Administration to Oregon airports can be found below:

1. Portland-Hillsboro Airport: $7,095,483 for taxiway reconstruction.
2. Bend Municipal Airport: $3,930,621 for runway reconstruction and taxiway lighting.
3. Scappoose Airport: $3,841,517 for runway reconstruction and taxiway lighting.
4. Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport: $3,134,969 for taxiway reconstruction.
5. Ken Jernstedt Airfield in Hood River: $350,000 for taxiway construction.

“This federal investment to help maintain and improve taxiways at Hillsboro Airport is essential to our ability to meet the dynamic transportation needs of our region, ensure smooth aircraft operations, and reduce delays,” said Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland. “We are grateful for the Oregon delegation’s continued support for projects like these, which are core to maintaining safe and efficient airport operations.”

“The Taxiway A and B Rehabilitation Project provides new taxiway edge lighting along both parallel taxiways to visibly enhance operational safety for aircraft on the ground. Additionally, the project will complete the preventative maintenance needed to prolong the life of Bend Airport’s two parallel taxiways. These improvements are part of the City of Bend’s continued commitment to the safe and efficient operation of the third most active of 97 public use airports, in the state of Oregon,” said Tracy Williams, Bend Airport Manager.

“This $3.8 million FAA grant is a major investment in the future of Scappoose Airport. Rehabilitating the runway ensures our infrastructure remains safe, reliable, and positioned to meet the growing needs of general aviation in Columbia County. This project supports the Port of Columbia County’s work to strengthen local transportation assets, attract business investment, and create long-term opportunities for our community,” said Lacey Tolles, Port of Columbia County Airport Manager.

“The City of Klamath Falls is pleased to receive news that the Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport will be receiving an Airport Improvement Program grant from the FAA for their Taxiway F Reconstruction Project.  This project will not only reconstruct a piece of critical airfield infrastructure but also serve as a welcome boost to our local economy.  The general contractor Rocky Mountain Construction and a majority of the subcontractors are local companies so this project is a direct benefit to our community that will return dividends many times over,” said Jonathan Teichert, Klamath Falls City Manager.

A full list of awards is available HERE.